Strong end to the season by Andreas Mikkelsen

“It has been a long season and it is brilliant that it ends with a third place overall in the WRC. I managed to succeed with my goal to win my first WRC event and I’m also very pleased to have been on the podium nine times this year” said a smiling Andreas Mikkelsen, who along with co-driver Ola Fløene, has performed really well during 2015.

The Norwegian Volkswagen Motorsport guys have distinguished themselves as one of the most solid crews in the WRC. And this is a development that they have continued from last season, which they finished with a pleasing third place in the championship. Since Andreas’ first time on the WRC podium at Rally Sweden last year, he has done 25 WRC rounds and finished on the podium at 14 of them. To make it into top three at more than every other championship round is incredibly strong.

“This season – and especially the victory in Spain – has given me so much motivation for the upcoming season. I’m really looking forward to what will happen in 2016 and the next season is not far away. Now I will enjoy a few days off before we start preparing for what is to come” said Andreas.

When Andreas’ teammate Jari-Matti Latvala retired on the first day, the Norwegian had a little hope to take the second place in the championship. But for that to happen, he had to win the rally and in addition to that, secure bonus points from the closing power stage. This was however a task too tough for Norway’s leading rally driver, especially after suffering a puncture pm Saturday and struggling with damper issues. The world champion of the last three years, Sébastien Ogier, and Kris Meeke, who was on home soil this weekend, were too strong and took the first and second place.

“After yesterday’s stages, I realized that it realistically would be impossible to finish second overall in the WRC. Considering how the weekend evolved, I’m happy with third place. It has been an eventful and very demanding rally and to end a fantastic season with a podium is something I’m satisfied with. We have taken many steps forward this year and we are even closer to that second place compared to last year” said Andreas.

He set a second quickest time on the very last stage of the season, which means that he has been in the top three on as many as 102 out of this year’s 231 stages. He has also scored bonus points on six out of 13 power stages.