For now, Andreas Mikkelsen’s race is run.
WRC2 entries at Safari Rally Kenya, Croatia, Portugal and Acropolis Rally Greece are all she wrote in terms of the Norwegian’s WRC2 program for Škoda this year.
“Nothing more is planned at the moment,” Mikkelsen confirmed to DirtFish.
“I’m doing some development with Škoda but nothing… no more rallies are planned at the moment.”
Mikkelsen again demonstrated his pace, setting 16 fastest times across the four events, but he’d have hoped for more than two podium finishes – and no victories – in 2026.
His bid was curtailed in Kenya by broken windshield wipers near the end of the first stage, and then a puncture that consigned him to fourth.
In Croatia, two tire changes on the first day left him outside the points before he claimed third in Portugal and second in Greece – although led until he stopped to change a tire on the final day.
Mikkelsen's best result of the season was second in Greece
Mikkelsen started the year without the budget for a full WRC2 season, but hoped good results would earn him some extra funding.
That appears unlikely, although he remains involved in testing and developing the Fabia RS Rally2.
“We’re always trying to upgrade the car and see where we can improve, and I’m trying to help a little bit with that,” he said.
But what about Mikkelsen’s WRC future?
This season was his third spell dropping back into WRC2, following a brief stint in 2017 after Volkswagen suddenly pulled out at the end of the previous season, leaving him without a top-class drive.
He eventually signed with Hyundai via two events with Citroën, but returned to Škoda and Rally2 in 2021 after he was let go for 2020. Winning both the 2023 title (as well as 2021) convinced Hyundai to re-employ him for a part-time, asphalt-biased campaign in 2024 but Mikkelsen wasn’t retained for 2025.
Mikkelsen has twice used WRC2 as a springboard to return to the top class. Will it happen again>
This season’s comeback, after a quiet year last year, hasn’t quite worked out, so what comes next?
The WRC is on the cusp of a major change in 2027 with WRC27 cars, Rally2 Kit cars and standard Rally2 cars all eligible to compete at the top level. Mikkelsen has won three World rallies and several championships at Rally2 level, so he has plenty to offer.
“Yeah, but let’s see,” he cautioned. “Everything also has an end at some point, and it’s really hard to predict the rally future now. I really doubt there will be a lot more available seats.
“And yeah, you have to try to predict the future a bit as well. I have kids at home, which I’m enjoying a lot. But I also like to stay competitive. So it’s a fine balance at the moment.”
