Andreas Mikkelsen says he wants to “dominate” every WRC2 and European Rally Championship round he starts in 2021 as he still targets a full-time World Rally Championship return.
The former Volkswagen and Hyundai driver has announced he will contest both series in full next season at the wheel of a Skoda Fabia Rally 2 evo that will be prepped by Toksport WRT – the same squad that helped Chris Ingram to the ERC title in 2019.
In addition to his dual campaign, Mikkelsen will help Skoda to further develop its Czech supermini next year while also trying to secure the backing to start a handful of WRC events in the top class.
Mikkelsen contested just three rallies this year, with his stand-out performance coming on November’s Rally Hungary, which he won by one-and-a-half minutes.
He finished sixth overall on the final round of the ERC before going on to win WRC3 at Rally Monza earlier this month.
Mikkelsen has previously indicated to Autosport that his heart remains set on returning to the WRC’s top division and believes that his deals for 2021 will serve as the perfect “stepping stone”.
“Two different championships mean a lot of driving for me and a lot of testing as well as I’ll also develop the 2022 Skoda Fabia Rally 2 car,” Mikkelsen announced via his own YouTube channel.
“That means a big role for me next year. I will sit in the car almost every week, or every second week, which is incredible. Skoda and Toksport – that is the ultimate programme for me next year.
“Of course, it is not the WRC, which is where I want to be, but I think this is a great step towards that goal of being fully back in the WRC in 2022. I think that this is a good stepping stone for me.”
Mikkelsen believes a season of consistency and silverware will go a long way to helping strengthen his case for a works seat in 2022.
“I have one aim next year: that is to dominate every rally that I am doing,” he said. “That means winning every ERC round and winning every WRC2 round as well.
“I have the car to do it – Skoda has the best R5 car. For me, there is no question about that.
“I love the car and, getting the chance to spend even more time in it, I will perform even better than I did in 2020. And I do believe the testing programme we have means we will be so prepared for every rally; I feel very confident that we can win every type of rally next year. That is definitely the aim.
“I think that can put me in the best position heading into 2022.”
Mikkelsen added that the WRC rallies he will not start as part of his WRC2 bid, he will complete the recce to help “him learn the stages”.