Mikkelsen happy to follow team instructions

Andreas Mikkelsen says he was happy to follow the instructions of his Škoda UK Motorsport team and settle for a points’ finish rather than chase a win on Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés last weekend.

Mikkelsen, from Norway, was under orders to reach the finish of the all-asphalt event following his crash on the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo in January. He duly brought his Fabia S2000 home in sixth place overall to open his point-scoring account for the year.

“For us we achieved what we came here to do and that was to finish with no risks,” said the 21-year-old, who won the non-championship Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally last November. “I know I’ve got the pace to fight at the top but I also know I have to do what the team wants me to do at the moment. My time will come.”

Mikkelsen and co-driver Ola Fløene resume their IRC bid on Tour de Corse – E.Leclerc from 12-14 May.