Norwegian rally driver Andreas Mikkelsen was confirmed as Jari-Matti Latvala and Sébastien Ogier's teammate in Volkswagen's Word Rally Championship effort.
The 23-year-old from Oslo has been in the Volkswagen fold for some time now. In 2011 and 2012, he was crowned champion of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge aboard a Skoda Fabia S2000. His record also includes a win in the 2008 Rally Norway. At the time, Mikkelsen was only 18 years old.
In 2013, his season kicks off at the Rally Portugal, fourth round of the WRC. Before then, the team is only fielding two cars.
As far as expectations go, Jost Capito, VW's head of motorsport, admitted it might take some time before the team is fully up to speed in the championship, despite the Polo R WRC's promises.
"The WRC is pretty new for the team," he said.
"We learned through the season in 2012 and our target through next season is to get in a position to challenge for podium positions and be prepared for the 2014 season when we want to fight for wins."
Moreover, Red Bull, which has already partnered VW in its Dakar adventures, was confirmed as a major sponsor for the WRC bid.
The 23-year-old from Oslo has been in the Volkswagen fold for some time now. In 2011 and 2012, he was crowned champion of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge aboard a Skoda Fabia S2000. His record also includes a win in the 2008 Rally Norway. At the time, Mikkelsen was only 18 years old.
In 2013, his season kicks off at the Rally Portugal, fourth round of the WRC. Before then, the team is only fielding two cars.
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| Volkswagen's Red Bull-sponsored Polo R WRC (Photo: Volkswagen Motorsport) |
As far as expectations go, Jost Capito, VW's head of motorsport, admitted it might take some time before the team is fully up to speed in the championship, despite the Polo R WRC's promises.
"The WRC is pretty new for the team," he said.
"We learned through the season in 2012 and our target through next season is to get in a position to challenge for podium positions and be prepared for the 2014 season when we want to fight for wins."
Moreover, Red Bull, which has already partnered VW in its Dakar adventures, was confirmed as a major sponsor for the WRC bid.