Mikkelsen has competed in selected WRC rounds this season, driving Hyundai’s third i20 N Rally1 car. The Norwegian finished sixth in Monte Carlo, Croatia, and the Rally of Poland.
His next WRC event will be the Central European Rally in October. However, this weekend he will return to the wheel of a Rally2 car.
Mikkelsen will participate in the Rally Valli della Carnia in northern Italy, taking place in the town of Ampezzo. It will provide him with valuable tarmac practice, even though he won’t be driving a Rally1 hybrid car.
There’s a practical reason behind Mikkelsen’s drive in Hyundai’s Rally2 car.
“It’s really perfect because we have development testing in Italy during the week, and we’ll finish it at the event itself,” Mikkelsen explained in a video posted on social media.
Mikkelsen has extensive experience driving Rally2 cars, having competed in the WRC2 class with a Skoda Fabia from 2020 to 2023. However, he has yet to race Hyundai’s Rally2 car.
It’s been three months since Mikkelsen’s last rally, making this a crucial opportunity to get valuable mileage ahead of the Central European WRC round. Hyundai is closing in on the manufacturers’ championship, but the team still needs points to secure the title.
Mikkelsen was brought in this season to drive Hyundai’s third car, primarily for tarmac rallies. However, his tarmac pace has not impressed, as he was off the leading pace in both Monte Carlo and Croatia. In the Polish gravel event, Mikkelsen was fighting for top positions, but a puncture on the final day cost him a podium finish.
In Italy’s Rally Valli della Carnia, Mikkelsen will face tough local competition, including Simone Campedelli and Fabio Andolfi, both driving Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars.
