WRC2 champion Mikkelsen stays true to Škoda

The Norwegian star and his co-driver Torstein Eriksen became the 2023 WRC2 champions at last week’s Central European Rally – securing the title thanks to their fastest time in the Wolf Power Stage after a crash on day one prevented them from fighting for the outright rally victory.

With extensive experience of top-level WRC competition, Mikkelsen has been vocal about his aspirations to secure a Rally1 seat in the future. Nevertheless, should that opportunity not materialise, his loyalty in the premier support category will remain steadfastly aligned with Škoda.

“It’s good that we are having more competition in Rally2,” the Fabia RS driver remarked. “For example, now Toyota is coming, so that maybe also creates some kind of a driver market in Rally2 as well.

“I have been very honest with Škoda and our history goes a long way back to 2011 and 2012. When I lost my chance with Volkswagen, you know, they stepped in and helped my career. When I went out of Hyundai they stepped in, and also this year.

“As long as I have some kind of offer or some kind of deal with them, I will never drive for an opposition of them,” he affirmed. “My first priority in Rally2 will always be Škoda.”

Of his chance to contest FORUM8 Rally Japan (16 – 19 November), now with reduced pressure, Mikkelsen added: “I’m happy that I can go to Japan and drive a normal rally instead of just driving around there to secure one point It’s nice to get the championship here in Central Europe and now we can focus on driving a clean, fast rally in Japan."