Mikkelsen, a final chance to relaunch his WRC career? “I still believe I can fight for the title”

Andreas Mikkelsen will play big, very big in 2024. The Norwegian will make his return to the premier category of WRC this season as the third driver at Hyundai – a role shared between him, Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi. Five years later, the three-time winner of rally finds the manufacturer from Seoul and a new chance to establish a long-term relationship with the Korean clan. If he should be present on the asphalt events this year – namely four rallies out of the thirteen on the calendar – Andreas Mikkelsen will be aboard the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 from the Monte-Carlo Rally (January 25-28).

The Scandinavian will be closely scrutinized by observers and by his own team. Objective: to make a strong impression with the aim of returning to the WRC full-time in 2025. “I still believe I can fight for the title, declares the WRC2 champion. It's not possible this year, but who knows in the future? I think I can make a comeback and this season will be another step in that direction. »

Mikkelsen ready to play the Hyundai team game

Twice on the podium of the Monte-Carlo Rally (3rd in 2015, 2nd in 2016 with Volkswagen), Andreas Mikkelsen knows that he will not have priority over the result over his two teammates, Ott Tänak et Thierry Neuville, who will play for the title in 2024. A teammate role that does not bother the Norwegian, ready to sacrifice his rally and slow down if necessary.“I am here to support Thierry and Ott. If there is a situation where I have to let them pass, I will, without a doubt, he confides. And if that’s the case, that means I had a great weekend. It also means taking points from their rivals. We must do everything we can to achieve this. I'm looking forward to this year. This is a great personal opportunity and I am ready to take full advantage of it. »

Andreas Mikkelsen – whose permanent WRC number will be No. 9 – will also be able to draw on his experience in WRC2 for the Monte-Carlo Rally, which he won three times in the category (2017, 2021, 2022) . A good result on the roads alpines would obviously allow him to increase his rating at Hyundai and in the world of rallying... but be careful not to want to do too much in the first race, because an accident would be even more damaging.

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