Hyundai are looking to secure the manufacturers’ title at Rally Japan in what would be a clean sweep for the Korean outfit in 2024.
The team have already confirmed their first WRC drivers’ title, but which driver will win said title is still undecided heading into the final event of the season.
Thierry Neuville is 25 points ahead of teammate Ott Tanak, meaning the Belgian needs to score just six points in Japan to wrap up his maiden title.
But Tanak, who won the 2019 championship, will be looking to fight his teammate all the way to the end to try and secure his second WRC win. Hyundai will support both Neuville and Tanak in Japan for their respective title aspirations.
Neuville will be eager to secure the title quickly so he can focus his attention to winning the manufacturers’ championship for Hyundai. But the Korean outfit have been told that they ‘cannot rely’ on one of their drivers to beat Toyota.
Hyundai told they ‘cannot rely’ on Andreas Mikkelsen to secure the title at Rally Japan
Andreas Mikkelsen will pilot the third i20 N Rally1 machine alongside Neuville and Tanak in what will be his fifth appearance in the WRC this season.
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The Norwegian, who has claimed 114 stage wins in his career thus far, finished sixth at the Monte Carlo Rally, the Croatia Rally and Rally Poland. Mikkelsen competed last time out at the Central European Rally, but he crashed out of the event on Friday morning.
Speaking on the DirtFish YouTube channel, Collin Clark believes Mikkelsen is ‘not strong enough’ to help Hyundai secure manufacturers’ points and get the edge over Toyota.
“I’ve got another point, because we’re talking about three drivers for manufacturer points.
“But Mikkelsen, he’s not strong enough. You cannot rely on him, so ideally, what Neuville would like to be able to do is say: ‘tell you what boys? I’ll be the safety net, and let’s let Tanak and Mikkelsen push for the manufacturers’ points.
“Mikkelsen is not strong enough to do that.”
Who will drive the third Hyundai in the WRC in 2024?
With Neuville and Tanak tied down for the 2025 season, Hyundai are searching for their third driver for next year.
Adrien Fourmaux is the overwhelming favourite to land the seat, having impressed at M-Sport Ford this season. Hyundai have offered the Frenchman a contract for 2025, leaving Fourmaux feeling that M-Sport don’t want him as they are still yet to offer him fresh terms.
Mikkelsen is an option for the team if Fourmaux opts to move elsewhere, and the Norwegian will be hoping to end the season strong in Japan to put himself in the conversation for a full-time seat.
WRC2 driver Sami Pajari is also a driver to consider as the Finn battles Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rrossel for the title in Japan. The 22-year-old has made three appearances in Rally1 machinery this season, achieving a best finish of fourth at Rally Finland.