Seb Ogier & Andy Mikkelsen partners in Volkswagen?

Source: The Sun

The mighty Volkswagen group are aiming to storm the World Rally Championship after signing fast Frenchman Sebastien Ogier to lead the new team.

Ogier, who endured a fraught time with Citroen as he battled team-mate Sebastien Loeb for this year's WRC title, may well be joined for the attack by honorary Brit Andreas Mikkelsen.

Andy Mick is well known to SunSport readers as he won this year's Intercontinental Rally Challenge for The Sun's motorsport partners Skoda.

He will return to the Skoda UK squad to defend his title in 201 but may also have a few WRC outings in the second-tier S2000 class.

It is clear the brilliant 22-year-old is a favourite son of VW, Skoda's parent company.

And although he is not a dead cert for the company's second Polo WRC car, he has to be a top contender.

VW will launch their onslaught in 2013 after using 2012 as a development and experimental year.

It means the WRC is poised to return to its former glory with four manufacturers — VW, Citroen, Ford and BMW Mini — battling for honours.

Ogier, 27, said: "Volkswagen will soon be No1 in the world.

"I'm sure they are going to compete with the goal of clinching the WRC title and I'm happy to be part of this from the outset."

Mikkelsen, who is not counting his chickens, has avoided talking about VW's aspirations.

He just is simply happy to have repaid Skoda's faith in him by winning the IRC championship.

Mikkelsen added: "The aim now is to try to become the first driver to successfully defend his title."