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Andreas Mikkelsen unable to get World Rally Car seat for Portugal

Andreas Mikkelsen has been unable to secure a World Rally Car return in time for the Rally of Portugal and will instead continue with Skoda's WRC2 team.

While negotiations to return Volkswagen refugee Mikkelsen to the World Rally Championship's top class continue, he is understood to have accepted Skoda's request that he return to a Fabia for the next round later this month.

Mikkelsen, who tested Hyundai's WRC car recently, won WRC2 with Skoda on asphalt in his two previous outings for the team in Monte Carlo and Corsica.

He tested on gravel earlier this season and is expected to get another full day of running on that surface prior to Portugal.

Skoda Motorsport director Michal Hrabanek said: "We have entered two cars for Portugal. One of them will be driven by Pontus [Tidemand] and we have asked Andreas to drive the other."

Skoda's third driver Jan Kopecky cannot contest Portugal as he will be competing at home in the Czech National Championship.

Mikkelsen will face stiff R5 competition in Portugal, with every WRC2 registered competitor starting the first of three compulsory rounds of the year.

Tidemand currently leads the standings, having won the three events Mikkelsen was not present for.

Zdroj: autosport.com