Andreas Mikkelsen began his preparations for Rally d’Italia-Sardegna with a test in Cumbria, north-west England on Friday.
The 20-year-old Norwegian will drive an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 on seven rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, starting with the island event from 4-6 June.
Accompanied by co-driver Ola Fløene, Mikkelsen covered approximately 125 kilometres during the test. Afterwards he said he was very satisfied with the progress he’d made.
“It was a fantastic handling in the car and the Hankook tyres felt very good,” said Mikkelsen. “With this package, the Fiesta S2000, Hankook tyres and the M-Sport team behind us I just can’t wait to kick-off the IRC season. We will have another test in Sardinia on Tuesday before the rally, but already I have a very good feeling.”
Following round five of the IRC in Sardinia, Mikkelsen and Fløene will compete in Belgium (Ypres), Azores, Czech Republic (Zlín), Italy (Sanremo), Scotland and Cyprus.