Nissen to offer Vettel WRC test

Volkswagen Motorsport chief Kris Nissen has vowed to get Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel behind the wheel of the German make’s new-for-2013 Polo R World Rally Car.

Speaking at the Autosport Awards in London on Sunday evening, Nissen also revealed his desire for Carlos Sainz, the double world rally champion, to take part in a competitive rally for Volkswagen before he calls time on his career.

Sainz works as a consultant for Volkswagen but hasn’t driven in anger since contesting the Dakar Rally in South America last January although he did complete the initial shakedown of the prototype version of the Polo R WRC.

“There are two more announcements I would like to make,” said Nissen. “One is to get Sebastian Vettel to test one of our cars. It could be great for our sport if it could be possible because he is a two times Formula One world champion but it won’t be easy. I would also like Carlos to do a race in one of our cars as well.”

Vettel has never taken part in a rally before but has always maintained a keen interest in the sport ever since his visit to Neste Oil Rally Finland in 2009. During the Race of Champions in Germany last weekend it is understood he insisted on driving a Skoda Fabia Super 2000, similar to the one used by Juho Hanninen to win the Super 2000 World Rally Championship title this season.