Hyundai Motorsport has announced Andreas Mikkelsen will drive for the team for the remainder of the 2017 World Rally Championship season.
The Norwegian was left without a drive after Volkswagen's withdrawal at the end of 2016. He tested for the Korean manufacturer earlier this year in April but Hyundai failed to find him a seat so he continued with his WRC2 campaign with Skoda.
Mikkelsen was finally able to return to the WRC when Citroen handed him a seat for Italy and Poland. He finished in eighth and ninth place respectively following limited time in the car but was back to his usual best in his third and latest outing for the French outfit, when he climbed onto the second step of the podium at Rally Germany.
The 28-year-old was expected to continue with Citroen for October's Rally Catalunya but Hyundai swooped in and Mikkelsen will now drive a Hyundai i20 Coupe along with championship chaser Thierry Neuville and Spanish veteran Dani Sordo.
Team Principal Michel Nandan explained the thinking behind the team's decision.
“Reaching this decision was not easy, but we felt it was necessary to reaffirm ourselves in the championship battle,” he said. “Discussions with Andreas have been ongoing since he was out of a drive but we had nothing to offer him, as our line-up was fixed.
"However, with us losing ground, we decided to re-evaluate the situation. We had an open discussion with all three of our crews and informed them of our decision to make this adjustment. The precise line-up for Spain has been made, but we will conf m our crews for Wales and Australia in due course.
"For now, though, we welcome Andreas and Anders into Hyundai Motorsport and look forward to getting our 2017 championship back on track from Spain onwards.”
Mikkelsen says his main aim is to help Hyundai overhaul M-Sport for the manufacturers' championship title. The team is currently 64 points adrift of Malcolm Wilson's team after Hyundai had a miserable Rally Germany.
“I am delighted to be joining Hyundai Motorsport and to be back in the WRC for the next three rallies. It is a great team with some very talented people, and the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC has proven itself to be a winning car on every surface.
"I had the chance to test on gravel earlier this year. I had a really positive feeling, which I am sure we will find again in these last three events of the season. My aim is to do all I can to help the team in the manufacturers’ championship. I have a great belief in them and the car, so I am super excited. Anders and I are ready for this and we hope it will be the start of something more long-term.”
Mikkelsen's switch leaves Hayden Paddon without a WRC drive for the first time since January 2015. The Kiwi has suffered miserable season which began with tragedy in Monte-Carlo. He's stood on the podium on just one occasion and recently wrote off his 2017 season.
It's unclear whether Paddon will return before the season concludes and if the 30-year-old will remain with the team.
