Andreas Mikkelsen is hoping for more opportunities to drive the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 on gravel after his strong performance at Rally Poland.
Off the back of claiming a second WRC2 title in three years last season, Hyundai hired Mikkelsen to share its third car with team-mates Esapekka Lappi and Dani Sordo this season.
But wth Lappi preferred for most gravel events, and Sordo on a select program, Mikkelsen has been trusted to drive the car on asphalt – a decision which raised eyebrows at the time given Mikkelsen’s well-documented struggles on the surface the last time he drove an i20 (2017-19).
Mikkelsen and the i20 Coupe WRC weren't the best of friends on asphalt
In both Monte Carlo and Croatia Mikkelsen struggled for form, prompting questions as to whether he was able to adapt to the hybrid power unit and aero quirks of modern-day Rally1 machinery.
But the Norwegian emphatically laid those questions to rest in Poland as he led the rally after the first day and was hanging onto eventual winner Kalle Rovanperä before a puncture dropped him back.
Although Mikkelsen ironically ended up with the same overall result as his other 2024 appearances, sixth, he was clearly much more comfortable on the loose and delighted he got the chance to compete in Poland.
“This was one of the rallies that I asked for this year, so it’s nice to show that we can compete at the very front,” Mikkelsen told DirtFish.
“It was important for myself, for my confidence, everything, to know that on gravel, on the car, I really gelled quickly with the car. I had a good feeling that we could fight.”
The Norwegian is working on trying to secure himself more outings on the loose
But having sampled the Hyundai on gravel, Mikkelsen wants more of it. Lappi will pilot the i20 N Rally1 in the upcoming Latvian and Finnish events, but Mikkelsen has his eye on the Acropolis.
“Let’s say that’s one of the rallies that I really enjoy and I really love, and we always had good results there,” he said.
“So, yeah, I hope that we can have a chance to do Greece. I would love that.”
Asked if the team was in a position to change the drivers’ programs around and potentially afford Mikkelsen more gravel running, he smiled: “I think a plan can always change.
“But yeah, well… I do believe I can drive fast on Tarmac as well. I won Rally Spain, and that’s proper Tarmac. But yeah, gravel comes a bit more natural.
“I have to be very, very confident in the car on Tarmac to have the feeling to really attack. And so far, I haven’t had that in the Hyundai.
“On gravel, it came very directly on the test already, so that came very naturally. But to be fast on Tarmac, you need to be 100% comfortable.”
