Andreas Mikkelsen was unveiled as part of Volkswagen Motorsport's factory line-up in the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship under a long-term deal during the team's launch in Monaco last Saturday.
Ranked as a future title winner, here are
10 steps the young Norwegian might be keen to take during his first year
with the squad, as WRC.com explains.
Embrace the feel good factor
“It’s
a fantastic feeling,” Mikkelsen says of his chance with Volkswagen.
“We’ve been doing a lot of events for the team [with the Skoda Fabia
Super 2000] but it’s nice to be properly inside the team with the Polo
project.”
Build experience
With Mikkelsen’s first
event not scheduled until Vodafone Rally de Portugal in April, a handful
of practice events are being planned: “We will do the recce [for the
first three rounds] and we will find some national events to get ready.”
Be prepared
“For
sure it’s going to be very different to drive the Polo World Rally Car
[compared to the Skoda Fabia Super 2000],” he concedes. “The top speed
is bigger, the entrance speed to the corners is higher, there’s more
downforce so for sure it won’t be easy. We will probably not be 100 per
cent comfortable during the first few rallies but we can improve during
the season and develop our speed.”
Adapt quickly
With
Mikkelsen’s new co-driver Mikko Markkula a Finn, the old mix of
Norwegian and English pace notes is out in favour of English-only
instructions. “The system stays the same but we replace the Norwegian
numbers with English ones. The new cooperation doesn’t worry me at all,”
says Mikkelsen.
Utilise experience
Being part of a
factory line-up isn’t new for Mikkelsen with the Norwegian just about to
complete a two-year stint with Skoda UK Motorsport. “When I was private
if I wrecked a car it didn’t matter more or less. With a manufacturer,
people are relying on you and you can’t think about yourself all of the
time.”
Look forward
“There are many rallies I am
looking forward to,” says Mikkelsen. “For sure I have some favourite
ones. Finland I have done some times now and Spain can be a good event
for us. And I was very fast in Argentina last year even though it was
our first time there.”
Time is on your side
The
23-year-old is on a long-term contract with Volkswagen, a fact he’s
quick to recognise. “Being in a third car means we are not under the
limelight and that takes the pressure a little bit away. We can try to
develop in very calm conditions, that’s the correct way.”
Respect your elders
Mikkelsen
is the youngest member of the three-strong Volkswagen line-up. He plans
to play a supporting role to Jari-Matti Latvala and Sebastien Ogier: “I
really want to help those guys next year. It’s a learning year for me
and this is normal. But for sure as the years progress I want to deliver
proper results and show my speed.”
Do your country proud
With
Petter Solberg sitting out the 2013 season, it’s down to Mikkelsen and
fellow countryman Mads Ostberg to uphold Norwegian honour in the WRC
next year. “It’s really sad about Petter but Mads has had a fantastic
year and for sure he will lead the Ford drivers next year and do a
fantastic job. We will take our time but hopefully we will deliver
strong results.”
Don’t get complacent
Mikkelsen is
part of the EVEN Rally management company, which also has rising star
Esapekka Lappi on its books. “He has the same opportunities I had, he’s a
fantastic driver and his potential is very big,” says Mikkelsen.
Source: WRC .com
