The frozen forests of northern Sweden will present an intimidating problem because the FIA World Rally Championship arrives in Umeå for spherical two this week.
Though circumstances shall be sub-zero – plunging to a bone-chilling -13°C within the host metropolis – the motion shall be red-hot because the high-speed roads of the Västerbotten area take a look at opponents to the restrict.
A founding spherical of the WRC, Rally Sweden is without doubt one of the oldest rallies on the planet and the one occasion on the calendar to happen solely on snow and ice. But, because of the outstanding grip offered by studded Hankook tyres, it stays one of many quickest rallies of the 12 months.
Northern European drivers have just lately dominated in Sweden, however Elfyn Evans proved it’s attainable to interrupt the development with victory right here in 2020. The Welshman sits second within the championship standings, and with Rallye Monte-Carlo winner Sébastien Ogier absent from spherical two, the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 driver shall be first on the highway.
“Our podium in Monte-Carlo was a stable begin to the 12 months and we’re wanting ahead to the subsequent problem in Sweden. It’s an occasion that’s at all times plenty of enjoyable to drive with the levels being as quick as they’re,” he stated.
“Opening the highway may make for a tough begin to the weekend if there’s plenty of contemporary snow like final 12 months. Then again, if it’s icy, it may play into our fingers; we’ll be giving it our all regardless.”
Amongst Evans’ teammates is Kalle Rovanperä, who received back-to-back world titles in 2022 and 2023 and is keen to bounce again from a disappointing season opener. The silver lining? A barely extra beneficial highway place for the primary day.
Takamoto Katsuta will look to construct on the promising tempo he confirmed earlier than crashing final day trip, whereas Sami Pajari pilots one other GR Yaris for Toyota’s second-string squad.
Ott Tänak boasts the strongest Rally Sweden file among the many present WRC drivers, with victories in 2019 and 2023. He and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville spearhead Hyundai’s i20 N Rally1 cost alongside Adrien Fourmaux, whose third-place end on debut made him the Korean producer’s prime performer on the opening spherical.
After impressing in M-Sport Ford outings final 12 months, Latvian hotshot Mārtiņš Sesks makes a preferred return to the British crew for his first rally of a half-season programme.
Sesks is joined by Grégoire Munster, contemporary from his maiden stage victory in Monte-Carlo, and Josh McErlean, who shall be targeted on gaining expertise in simply his second outing at rallying’s prime stage.
Umeå hosts the ceremonial begin later right now (Thursday), earlier than crews sort out 18 levels overlaying greater than 300km forward of Sunday afternoon’s end.
