Hyundai Motorsport confirmed that Andreas Mikkelsen has signed a two-year deal to join the team for the 2018 and 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) seasons. At the beginning of September, the team announced the Norwegian would drive for the last 3 rounds of the 2017 championship.
Mikkelsen will compete in all rounds of the 2018 championship in a Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. His co-driver will be fellow Norwegian Anders Jæger.
Hyundai Motorsport’s existing crews of Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul, Dani Sordo/Marc Martí and Hayden Paddon/Seb Marshall all remain under contract for the 2018 season.
Andreas Mikkelsen said:
“I am delighted that Hyundai Motorsport has offered me the chance to return to the WRC. Even before my first rally with the team, I feel that I have settled in quickly. And it is clear to me that I am joining a world-class team with realistic chances of fighting for both Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ championships. I look forward to helping to achieve these goals from Rallye Monte-Carlo next year, and making my own presence felt in the drivers’ title fight.”
Happy that @HMSGOfficial will be my home also for 2018 & 2019! https://t.co/soXHwF63ch #HyundaiMotorsport #WRC #TeamEVEN pic.twitter.com/rPFcVGXitf
— Andreas Mikkelsen (@AMikkelsenRally) September 28, 2017
Team Principal Michel Nandan said:
“Andreas is one of those rally drivers who fits in quickly and just gets straight down to business. We are pleased to have him on board in a full-time capacity for two complete seasons. He has already had the chance to experience the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC in testing. And has delivered us positive and useful feedback. He has also driven our i20 R5, which has further allowed him to integrate into all areas of our team. We can’t wait to see him in action as a Hyundai Motorsport driver in the final three events of the season, into next year and beyond.”
