Andreas Mikkelsen

[mknight]

Back to WRC event in R5 it was pretty much like like last time in 2017. (Monte, Corsica, Portugal)

1 min lead after first day and rally done.

Broken gearlever on Saturday and 2x bad tire choice made it a bit interesting, but Sunday he controlled it and won the leg in RC2 again.

Based on Canarias and Saturday in Monza he definitely needs to get someone good to work with weather/tires if he keeps running semi-private. In factory teams he wasn't known for doing bad tire choices.

Don't see any way to WRC next year though. Toyota is full, part time at Hyundai doing gravel rounds sounds a bit pointless and Adamo repeatedly picked Breen over him even when Breen does worse (GB/AUS/SWE).

Driving at MSport to "also participate" also looks pointless, especially if he would need to bring budget.

[RS]

Judging by the livery, it looked like Andreas (and Lindholm) were running with Skoda support in Monza. Perhaps this is their model for next year - budget support but drive in private teams.

[Sulland]

So the plan for Mikkelsen to team up with Solberg for a Skoda team in WRC2 will not happen.

What options does that leave Mikkelsen:
Same deal with new teammate?
Trying to go to Ford for a WRCar stunt?

[Rallyper]

Is Mikkelsen still aiming for the big class?

Then Ford is only option I guess. If not 2nd teams will appear.

[AnttiL]

I believe Mikkelsen was planning on doing a WRC2/3 season in 2021 in order to get a Rally1 seat for 2022.

Just because Solberg went to Hyundai doesn't mean Mikkelsen couldn't still drive in Toksport's team. Tidemand could still continue in the other car?

[abcrally]

Is Mikkelsen still aiming for the big class?

Yes he is. Toksport WRC2 is out of question.

Then Ford is only option I guess. If not 2nd teams will appear.

True.

[abcrally]

I believe Mikkelsen was planning on doing a WRC2/3 season in 2021 in order to get a Rally1 seat for 2022.

Just because Solberg went to Hyundai doesn't mean Mikkelsen couldn't still drive in Toksport's team. Tidemand could still continue in the other car?

Toksport WRC2 is out of question for AM.

[mknight]

MSport without paying either in WRC or WRC2 (to help sell Fiesta Rally2), or he funds (sponsors+own) something (Fabia or C3) in WRC2 with "private" team, that's my guess.

[er88]

Toksport WRC2 is out of question for AM.

Still think he should find a way to get a drive with Msport this season in the WRC car, either driving for free or bringing some of his budget . Hopefully they'll have some of these deleyed/ much talked about updates on the car, but all he would have to do is outperform Suninen (if he is still with the team) to surely get a role at Msport in 22. Plus, if Mikkelsen is involved with Msport in 2021 doing some events, he should/ could be used as a test driver for their new 22wrc car. And Msport always seem to have good cars straight out the box, so being at Msport could be a great place to be in 2022+.

Hyundai is a no-go for him under Adamo, Toyota will only have one seat available in 2022 you'd imagine, so it would be clever to find a way into Msport and building a better relationship there as soon as he can.

Another manufacturer isn't going to magically turn up, so it's a big year for drivers like Mikkelsen, Lappi, Breen, Suninen, Loubet etc and some of the younger ones, to earn a 2022 seat somewhere. I feel if Lappi stays at home he will be hurt the most (look at Paddon who is being slowly forgotten about). At least Mikkelsen will be doing something, whatever it is.

[AnttiL]

I feel if Lappi stays at home he will be hurt the most (look at Paddon who is being slowly forgotten about). At least Mikkelsen will be doing something, whatever it is.

The difference between Lappi and Paddon is that Paddon has a career at home outside the WRC. AFAIK Lappi doesn't have any other projects.

As for Mikkelsen, let's see what he can pull together.