Victory for Andreas Mikkelsen in Rallye Monte-Carlo

“This has been a difficult rally, maybe the toughest I’ve ever done in Monte Carlo. The conditions were very demanding. Considering that, it feels extra great to finish it with a victory. I still felt like we were in control from start to finish. We increased our lead every day and in the end we had a pretty good gap to the runner-up” said Andreas Mikkelsen, who was nearly three and a half minute ahead of Jan Kopecký in second place.

Although Andreas and his co-driver Anders Jæger were on a great pace from start, the 27-year-old said that he has been very careful.

“We’ve driven in the middle of the road and haven’t had one single incident during the weekend” said Andreas, who wants to extend his thanks to his safety crew.

“Bernt (Kollevold) and Veronica (Engan) have done a great job. At this event, their job is especially important, and the information they have given us has been valuable in terms of tyre choice. Without a good safety crew, you stand no chance in Rally Monte Carlo. All in all, this is a team victory. I’ve had a very good working car all through the rally, even though it was new to me. At the same time I would like to thank Skoda who gave me this opportunity and now we’ll just see where the season takes me” said Andreas, who lived up to everyone’s expectations to take the WRC 2 win.

Overall in the rally, the Norwegians finished seventh. The world champion of the four last years, Sebastien Ogier, started the 2017 season with a victory, followed by Jari-Matti Latvala and Ott Tänak.