Andreas Mikkelsen will test a Hyundai i20 WRC car in Portugal with a view for securing a seat in the Hyundai team, from Rally Portugal onwards.
After Volkswagen pulled out of the World Rally Championship at the end of last season, the Norwegian has cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines.
Unlike fellow VW refugee Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala, the Norwegian was unable to secure a full-time drive in a new WRC spec car, relaying on from two one-off drives for Skoda in the WRC2.
Mikkelsen’s management has been in contact with all of WRC manufacturers to secure a drive, especially after the chance to run VW stillborn new spec WRC Polo fell through.
Despite rumoured to approached by Toyota to replace Juho Hanninen, Hyundai invited him to their pre-event test in Portugal with the possibility of entering full-time from Rally Portugal onwards.
This decision came as a surprise as it all of Hyundai’s current drivers are under confirmed contracts till the end of next season.
He would not be drawn on specific details of negotiations, but told Autosport: “I hope something will be organised very soon.
“We are talking to everybody, but it’s not just this year or next year – it’s the future.
“It’s looking positive and more positive than when we were talking last time in Sweden.
“We have developed our conversations a lot, it’s going in the right direction.”
