MOTORSPORT: Jaeger replaces Fløene alongside Mikkelsen by John Green

Ola Fløene (NOR) Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2015)

Anders Jaeger will step up from the Junior WRC to co-drive Andreas Mikkelsen next season following the surprise decision of Ola Fløene to quit earlier this week.

Jaeger has started only nine WRC rounds alongside Ole Christian Veiby and his promotion comes 12 months earlier than expected. He was due to replace Fløene in Mikkelsen’s Volkswagen Polo R in 2017.

The announcement ends a Scandinavian merry-go-round which began when Jonas Andersson left Mads Østberg to join Pontus Tidemand. Fløene then decided to leave Mikkelsen and fill the seat alongside Østberg in M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta RS.

“Anders has already been my co-driver on a couple of tests and he is very good in the car. He is a talented guy and I’m confident this is the best solution,” said Mikkelsen.

Mikkelsen scored his maiden WRC win alongside Fløene in Spain in October and they started 50 WRC events together.

“There are so many good memories with Ola. Together we have come a long way and I have learned a lot with him alongside me. There is no doubt I will miss him! Ola will always have that special place in my heart,” he said.

Jaeger, 26, finished second in the Junior WRC alongside Veiby, who is part of the same EVEN Management set-up as Mikkelsen, and has no fears about such a big step-up.

“I’ve already been alongside Andreas at a few tests, so I know the speed is different from my previous experience in the WRC, but with the strength and support from Andreas and the team, we have the best foundation to make this work,” he said.