Mikkelsen misses Portugal due to Covid-19

The Norwegian withdrew from the fourth round of the season after testing positive before travelling to the Matosinhos-based event. He and co-driver Ola Fløene were due to head the entry for the WRC’s premier support category in a Toksport-run Skoda Fabia Rally2.

“Obviously I’m devastated for the team,” Mikkelsen said. “Although I don’t feel ill at all, I totally respect the rules and have gone into self-isolation. I will do everything to be 100 per cent fit for the upcoming Rally Italia Sardegna (3 - 6 June).

Toksport will continue to be represented in Portugal by 20-year-old Bolivian Marco Bulacia, who lies second in the standings.

Mikkelsen holds a 35-point lead after victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo and second at Arctic Rally Finland. Broken suspension wrecked his Croatia Rally challenge, but he still scored well after recovering to fifth and claiming maximum bonus points in the Wolf Power Stage.