I think Mikkelsen is playing it safe, he has enough experience here to know where and when to push. Only thing for him to do is to control the gap to lead pack (specially Suninen).
EDIT: Bulacia wth the great time on SS1
Looks like later Rally2 cars have a slight advantage as first ones have to re-sweep after the Rally1s. Mikkelsen's time not too bad compared to Solberg. Maybe expect better times from the Skodas on SS2 which looks faster.
Maybe this shows just how tight their budget really is. Its already been heard of them re-using old parts and at times struggling for a test car.
Is it known how many Rally1 Cars they've built...
That was exceptional circumstances.
This situation is purely due to the state of the Championship when the team with the biggest history in the sport cant go on.
Lowest point was probably when they had to put the top class drivers to run RX2e cars for the final races of the season, after the whole fire on the Lancias drama.
Despite bad results, Max McRae wants to continue competing in ERC:
https://www.fiaerc.com/en/news/mcrae-keeping-positive-looking-to-an-erc-future-and-a-day-with-the-stars
Hyundai? Where is that 4th car, you loudly talk at the beginning of the season? We all know Neuville will not be the one, who will get this car.
I just hope, that the car he will receive will not...
Maybe this shows just how tight their budget really is. Its already been heard of them re-using old parts and at times struggling for a test car. Is it known how many Rally1 Cars they've built...
Rally Chile Biobio 2025