New co-driver for Tidemand
With a brilliant debut season for SKODA Motorsport behind, Pontus Tidemand is now looking forward to 2016. He continues the successful cooperation with the manufacturer and together they focus on WRC 2. The planning is well underway and next year we will see a new face in the co-driver’s seat, where Jonas Andersson now takes…
December 04, 2015
With a brilliant debut season for SKODA Motorsport behind, Pontus Tidemand is now looking forward to 2016. He continues the successful cooperation with the manufacturer and together they focus on WRC 2. The planning is well underway and next year we will see a new face in the co-driver’s seat, where Jonas Andersson now takes place.
The 24-year-old rally talent Pontus Tidemand has enjoyed a very successful 2015. Together with co-driver Emil Axelsson, he has lined up podium after podium and has taken enormous steps forward in his development. In their 11 events in two championships for SKODA, they have taken 10 podiums, including six victories, and the year was topped off by Pontus and Emil securing the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship title during the fall.
A WRC 2 campaign with SKODA Motorsport awaits in 2016 and at the same time, Pontus makes a co-driver change. Emil has new assignments and is replaced by the vastly experienced Jonas Andersson.
“Emil and I have had a terrific year and his knowledge has been an important factor in our success so obviously it is sad that it ends here. At the same time I’m very happy that Jonas with his huge experience steps in and I’m really looking forward to us working together. I wish Emil all the best in the future” said Pontus.
Emil Axelsson is also satisfied with the past year and excited about the next step in his career.
“It has been a fantastic year where we have delivered above expectations. It is now time for the next step in our development and that is why I leave room for a new co-driver. I want to thank everyone involved and wish the best of luck in 2016” he said.
Jonas Andersson is hardly an unfamiliar name in the world of rallying. In 2002, he began co-driving for P-G Andersson in the Swedish and Norwegian championships – they won the Norwegian championship the same year and the Swedish championship the following year. In 2004, they made their Junior WRC debut, which they won twice, and they also gained even further WRC experience before ending their teamwork in 2008. The following year, Jonas teamed up with Norwegian Mads Østberg and besides taking two Norwegian championship victories, they have had great success in the WRC over the past years. With solid experience as one of his main strengths, Jonas is now looking forward to a new chapter in his career.
“I needed new challenges so it was a perfect opportunity for me when the position with Pontus became available. Now I can’t wait to get into the car and start working with Pontus and EVEN Management. I have known Pontus for many years and I see that as an advantage when it comes to quickly finding the right teamwork. We will definitely aim for the top and I think we are strong candidates for the overall WRC 2 in 2016. This will be fun” said Jonas.
