Hyundai has confirmed the signing of Andreas Mikkelsen on a two-year deal, and will compete in each round of the championship next season.
Mikkelsen was left without a full-time drive in the wake of Volkswagen’s withdrawal at the end of 2016, and stepped down to WRC2 this year, piloting a Skoda Fabia in Monte Carlo, France and Portugal.
Mikkelsen was thrown a lifeline by Citroen and drove the C3 in Italy, Poland and Germany, capturing a podium in the latter round, before confirming that he would drive for Hyundai across the final three rounds.
Ahead of that event, Hyundai has announced that Mikkelsen will join the team through to 2019.
“I am delighted that Hyundai Motorsport has offered me the chance to return to the WRC ‘properly’ with a full-time seat for 2018 and 2019,” he said.
“Even before my first rally with the team, I feel that I have settled in quickly.
“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 achieve these goals from Rallye Monte-Carlo next year, and making my own presence felt in the drivers’ title.”
Hyundai also confirmed that its existing drivers – Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo and Hayden Paddon – remain under contract for next year.
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