Earlier this week the Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT announced the final two drivers for their 2024 WRC lineup.
He’s Back!
Andreas Mikkelsen will return to the top level of rally for the 2024 season. The 2023 WRC2 was in talks with Hyundai for a spot during 2023 after Craig Breen passed away. However, Hyundai decided to go a different route and Mikkelsen took part in the WRC2 championship for Toksport. Mikkelsen last drove at the top level of rally in 2019 with Hyundai. Mikkelsen won the WRC2 championship just two years later. Since then Mikkelsen has been the most deserving driver to get a rally1 drive. Well, he will get that chance this season at select events.
Back For Another Season With Hyundai
Dani Sordo’s future with Hyundai was questionable. As the Spaniard didn’t even know what his plans for 2024 were at Forum8 Rally Japan. Sordo did say he would do at least one outing in a Rally1 car in 2024. However, from there it was all question marks. Sordo will provide Hyundai with a safety net throughout the season. Something he has proven time and time again in 2022 and 2023.
What Events Will They Do?
Hyundai would say in their press release that Lappi will get snow and fast gravel events. Sordo will get rough gravel and Mikkelsen tarmac. There could be some room for changes throughout the season. However, based on what Hyundai has said each driver will do the following. Mikkelsen will do Montecarlo, Croatia, Central Europe and Japan. Lappi will do Sweden, Poland, Finland, Latvia and potentially Chile. That leaves Sordo doing Kenya, Italy, Portugal, and Greece. Obviously, things can change throughout the season as previously mentioned. As Lappi may not want to do all the fast events or Chile for example.
Why Three Drivers For Hyundai?
Lappi, Sordo and Mikkelsen are each good in their own respective ways. One thing they all share in common is the fact that they can challenge for a podium when needed. It’s no secret Hyundai is targeting both the manufacturer and drivers championships. Hyundai also knows to achieve this they need a safety net in case Neuville or Tänak fail to finish an event. All three drivers have previously won events and finished on the podium numerous times. All three drivers also know their role on the team and what the objective is. They also don’t take unnecessary risks. Only time will tell how having three drivers share a car works out.