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Mikkelsen: Why I chose Hyundai over M-Sport for WRC 2024 comeback
Andreas Mikkelsen, the newly-crowned two-time WRC2 champion, is set to make his first top-level WRC start since 2019 by rejoining Hyundai, the team he previously competed for from 2017 to 2019. Mikkelsen will be one of three drivers sharing Hyundai’s third i20 entry this year. Although he had the opportunity to join M-Sport on a full-time basis for this season, Mikkelsen ultimately chose Hyundai due to the team’s long-term vision and recent management restructure under new boss Cyril Abiteboul. Hyundai’s recruitment of former Williams Formula 1 and Volkswagen WRC technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison, with whom Mikkelsen previously worked at Volkswagen, also played a significant role in his decision. Mikkelsen’s competitive debut for WRC Rally1 hybrid is expected to take place at the 2024 Monte Carlo season opener.