Mikkelsen takes positives from Azores run

Andreas Mikkelsen says he was able to take several positives from Sata Rallye Açores, despite a troubled finale to the demanding gravel event.

Mikkelsen took his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 to fourth overall – the second event in a row that he has scored IRC drivers’ points – on the back of winning his first stage in the series.

However, a collision with a herd of cows on stage 14 on Saturday and a loss of powersteering for the final two stages made for a rather fraught finish to the event.

“It’s been okay because we have learned a lot and gained lots of experience so from that side it’s positive,” said Mikkelsen, 21. “But we had some problems as well and it was difficult on those last two stages without powersteering. My arms were very long so I had to get Ola Fløene, my co-driver to drive back to service.”

Mikkelsen’s next scheduled event is Barum Czech Rally Zlín, which runs from 27-29 August.