Sébastien Loeb replaces Andreas Mikkelsen in Portugal

Hyundai Motorsport has decided: Andreas Mikkelsen, initially confirmed to compete in the Rally of Portugal (May 30 – June 2), will finally be replaced for the Lusitanian event by Sébastien Loeb, always supported by Daniel Elena.

Second in Argentina behind its leader Thierry Neuville, Mikkelsen was unable to reproduce his performance in Chile with a seventh place finish when Sébastien Loeb took third place.

Mikkelsen had already been replaced by Dani Sordo for the Tour de Corse earlier in the year, and is therefore once again the big loser of the choices of the Korean brand which clearly aims to maintain its advantage in the Manufacturers' championship.

“This decision was not taken lightly. confirms Andrea Adamo, head of Hyundai Motorsport. We need to move forward as a team and get the most out of our crews. Sébastien and Daniel had a great performance in Chile and had good feelings in the car on gravel.

We thought their contribution would allow us to increase our points potential in Portugal. We are working to find a way to restore Andreas' confidence and we are confident that he will approach his next rally, in Sardinia (June 13-16), the same way he did in Argentina.

When you have a formation like ours and you look at the results of Chile, it is necessary to react quickly. »

Sébastien Loeb will return to an event where he has already won in the past with Citroën Racing in 2007 and 2009. “I had a very good feeling with the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC in Chile, as evidenced by our podium, advances the Alsatian.

I am happy to have the chance to create continuity by participating in the Rally Portugal. It's an unexpected decision, but I feel in a positive frame of mind and determined to get another strong result for the team. »

Loeb will be lined up alongside Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo, the two other Hyundai drivers selected for the Lusitanian round.