Mikkelsen gets seven-rally Fiesta deal
Andreas Mikkelsen will tackle a seven-round Intercontinental Rally Challenge programme in a Ford Fiesta S2000 this season
The Norwegian, who became the youngest driver ever to score a World Rally Championship point when he finished fifth on the 2008 Swedish Rally, will start his IRC campaign on Rally d'Italia Sardinia in June.
He will then tackle Ypres, Barum, Asturias, Sanremo Scotland and Cyprus before the end of the year.
Competing on seven rounds ensures Mikkelsen the best possible chance of challenging for this year's IRC title in the Fiesta.
Mikkelsen, who makes his Fiesta debut on this week's WRC-opening Rally Sweden, said: "This is just fantastic. After I saw Mikko Hirvonen and M-Sport team compete and win on the car's debut in Monte Carlo, I'm sure we have the best package available. My goal is to fight for the [S2000 WRC] win in Rally Sweden, and podium finishes in all the IRC rounds.
M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson added: "It will be a pleasure to work with Andreas Mikkelsen. Although he's not more than 20 years old he has shown his qualities as a driver on top level.
"With Andreas behind the wheel of the new Ford Fiesta S2000 we are confident he will be challenging for podium finishes both in Rally Sweden and in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this year."
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