Ahead of the new season, Hyundai announced that Andreas Mikkelsen, Dani Sordo, and Esapekka Lappi would take turns driving the team’s third car.
The decision caused bewilderment as it was not in line with what the team had previously stated publicly.
Hyundai had expressed its intention to give younger drivers opportunities to rise to the premier class of the World Rally Championship, yet it chose a quite experienced trio to drive its third car. For instance, Norwegian Mikkelsen is already 34 years old. Thus, it’s hardly appropriate to speak of him as a young promise anymore.
Mikkelsen started the season in Monte Carlo in January. His pace was not nearly sufficient to match the leaders, and the Norwegian driver ultimately finished sixth. The task continued in April at the Croatia Rally, where the result was the same: sixth place and completely missing pace.
Hyundai has spoken of Mikkelsen’s strength in tarmac rallies, although many may not consider him an asphalt specialist.
Therefore, it was indeed peculiar when Hyundai announced Mikkelsen’s program for this season. It is heavily biased towards tarmac, even though Mikkelsen himself admitted in 2019 to having issues specifically on asphalt.
“Maybe some drivers are different. At least for me on gravel, it’s much easier surface than on tarmac. I think it’s much more forgiving and things happen slower, so let’s say, it feels much easier to drive fast on a gravel rally than fast on a tarmac rally,” Mikkelsen admitted to Dirtfish.
This season, Mikkelsen has raced in Monte Carlo and Croatia, covering a total of 37 special stages. His best performance from these stages was a single fourth place on an individual stage. The results speak for themselves.
However, the Norwegian will soon be heading to gravel. He will participate in the Rally Poland at the end of June. He has good memories there. Last time, in the 2021 season, he finished second in the European Championship rally held in Poland.
“I really do believe that if there’s one rally we can really fight at the front, it should be that one,” Mikkelsen said.
Mikkelsen hopes to get enough test kilometers before Poland.
“I still need to discuss the test with the team and the preparation leading up to it, but for sure I’ll have some time in the car. I just hope it’s enough to try to be competitive in Poland,” Mikkelsen hoped.
Getting accustomed to a new car takes time. Last season, Teemu Suninen, who drove four WRC events with Hyundai’s Rally1 car, needed time to adapt, but the Finnish driver was able to improve his performances continuously. Mikkelsen is now in the same situation. Results need to come, and the entire season cannot just be about practicing. The World Rally Championship is not an internship.
“I don’t feel 100% with the car and I think that’s quite clear to see in my stage times,” Mikkelsen admitted.
“It’s not gelling completely like I was hoping it would, and there’s several reasons to that. I think, for sure, there’s things to improve my feeling with the car, but we’re fairly close. I must say I’m quite happy with the car, but it’s just some small things which I think can be improved to help the confidence of drivers,” Mikkelsen thought.
Mikkelsen’s season has been a disappointment so far. Now there’s no more room for excuses. Results must also be achieved in Poland.
