Mikkelsen: “Terrible not to do the Tour de Corsica”

How did you make the team's decision not to enter Corsica?

It was announced to me after Sweden and it was not easy news to hear. For Hyundai, the Manufacturers' championship is the priority. If the team judges that the line-up aligned in Corsica will achieve a better result, I just have to respect this choice.

What do you think of this decision?

Personally, it’s terrible… but I just have to accept it. I think I'm a good tarmac rider. I have already won the rally of Spain (in 2016. Editor’s note). Certainly my performance was very poor on this surface last year, but I was discovering how to exploit the car. I changed a lot of things and in Monte-Carlo, I was 3rd… so it’s a real shame that I can’t do Corsica.

Do you fear that this decision will be repeated in Germany and Spain?

It is possible. We have to wait for the result from Corsica, but if it works, there will be no reason to change. If I have to miss three rounds of the WRC, I will not be able to perform well in the championship, but I am very motivated to attack very hard and fight for the best possible places.