Andreas Mikkelsen

[SubaruNorway]

Andreas Mikkelsen - future champion :: World of Rally

"Andreas also stated he will most probably appear on rallies on home turf next year, and told us that he would drive some events ahead of his debut in the Polo WRC, but it was too early to tell what car he would drive"

[Sulland]

Let us collect issues on Mikkelsen here, so not all threads are full of things on him.

We now know he has missed a rally (sweden) after doing a very good Monte in a R5 Skoda.

What looks to be his best options of a full time return?

Buy in to Adapta/ Jipocar
Bet on that one of the teams are not happy with their lineup for 3 cars
Something else

[Sch17]

hey guys, i dont know if its the right place to ask this but what is the relationship between Mikkelsen, Ostberg and Even Group? Its a bit odd not seeing them teaming up together. There is also Tidemand, Veiby and other young drivers(Solbergs?) which can make a good Project and it would be interesting to see them working together.
Im sorry for my bad English, cheers.

[Sulland]

Mikkelsen is part of Even Management. Same with Veiby Jr, Lappi and Tidemand.
No relationship with Østberg, apart from both being Norwegians.
Adapta is the team of the Østberg family.

Lets see what the future brings.

[Simmi]

Buy in to Adapta/ Jipocar
Bet on that one of the teams are not happy with their lineup for 3 cars
Something else

My views on the options:

a) Very difficult to make this happen I think. Two guys with personal ambitions/backing have come together. The team is built around them. I don't see how Andreas fits in. If they add a car then EVEN might as well go direct to M-Sport. It has to be their name on the entry list after all.

b) This is a long-term strategy. Teams aren't going to get rid of a driver quickly. They'd also need to be able to break the contract. Let's be real we are talking about Breen, Lefebvre, Hanninen. Maybe Sordo. All of which are under contract - and three of which have deals for next year too.

c) This has to be the best option. Take that money they were going to use for VW and see if M-Sport, Citroen or even Hyundai can stretch to a fourth car for the right price. He'd then have to beat their other drivers on pace to try and force a deal for 2018. It seems like Citroen are already behind on car availability. Have to think Ford are the best bet but they might be maxed out for a few months now. Hyundai could do it I'm sure if they wanted. I just don't see them being bothered enough to do it.


In summary I can't see Andreas getting into a car until after Finland. Even then it's hard to see the obvious way in.

[jparker]

In summary I can't see Andreas getting into a car until after Finland. Even then it's hard to see the obvious way in.

I can't see him not driving until Finland.
My guess is Hanninen steping down.

[seb_sh]

I can't see him not driving until Finland.
My guess is Hanninen steping down.

Hanninen is going to do the full year; he is the reference to how the car is progressing. I'm afraid Mikkelsen might have to spend a year in WRC2 or WRC Trophy. Not ideal but not a tragedy in any case, look at Ogier.

[jparker]

In this case, is 3rd Toyota fo Mikkelsen a possibility?

[Simmi]

In this case, is 3rd Toyota fo Mikkelsen a possibility?

Can't see why it would be. EVEN would have to remove their own guy (Lappi) from the car. And if that was going to happen they should have done it already before the season.

Honestly sometimes you play musical chairs and you are left without a seat.

[Sulland]

In the waiting time until something is decided, he should try to get hold of a 16 PanzerPolo!
He knows it intinately, and it was the superb car last year. In tougher rallies for the new unproven 17 breed, that could prove to be a top combo!