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Expert Opinion: Who will shine on the WRC Rally Sweden snow?
Seven different winners from the previous 10 editions makes Rally Sweden one of the most difficult to predict on the World Rally Championship calendar.
In fact, four of the current top flight Rally1 field have all tasted victory in Sweden - world champion Thierry Neuville (2018), Ott Tanak (2019, 2023), Elfyn Evans (2020) and Kalle Rovanpera (2022).
So to get a lie of the land heading into the WRC’s only snow event of the season, DAZN News spoke to legendary WRC television commentator Becs Williams for an expert opinion on what could unfold on the snow and ice.
- Read next | Rally Sweden Preview: Five key talking points
One to watch: Elfyn Evans (Toyota Gazoo Racing)
WRC
“Number one, it is going to be a very cold and the weather is taking a real plunge on the weekend, so it is going to be great conditions with minus temperatures in the day and minus at night.
“I think in terms of performance from the drivers, what we saw in Monte Carlo, I can’t look past the confidence of Elfyn Evans right now. I found him a changed person in Monte. There was a lightness about him that we haven’t really seen before. It was great to see him real self coming through, but also the commitment he showed on the stages in really difficult conditions was excellent. This is a great start to his season and he has always gone well at Rally Sweden. I think it is going to be hard to look past him but we do have so many other fantastic drivers.
“Neuville didn’t have the start he wanted in Monte and I think he was a little bit surprised by that. But the good thing about Rally Sweden is so many of the current crop have won it before and it is one of those events that hasn’t been dominated by just one driver.
“Who will win it this time? You can’t absolutely say it is going this or that driver. It will depend on the conditions and the level of snow fall of which there is no snow forecast for this week, so there won’t be any fresh snow that will hamper whoever is first on the road, and that will be Elfyn at the start of the event.
“I think a lot of people’s sights will be on Rovanpera especially after his comment at the final stage in Monte where he said “we will see if I can still drive a rally car in Sweden”. The answer is quite obviously, yes he can. I’m sure he will blow everybody away in Sweden and again it is an event where we have seen him on the top step of the podium as well.”
Hyundai set for a bounce back with updated car
WRC
“I would think there will be a bounce back from Hyundai as Toyota really did have a strong weekend in Monte, while Adrien Fourmaux was the highest placed of the Hyundais. There has been a lot of secrecy in regards to the upgrades that are coming for the i20 N. But you just know that when you have people working on these things like Francois-Xavier Demaison (Hyundai technical director) and previously Christian Loriaux, you know what is coming is going to be good.
“I’m wondering how much we are going to be blown way. Will it be a huge difference? Will the drivers feel a difference? I certainly hope so, but for me they have got to be the team that should be feared moving on as they have three really strong drivers there, and new signing Fourmaux has adapted to that car so quickly. I absolutely do believe Adrien will take a first rally win probably now in the first half of this season. I was giving him the whole year, but I’m going to narrow it down.
“You can never rule Ott Tanak out of anything too. When he is at his absolute best and comfortable in the car and able to commit, there is nobody faster than him. He seems to go that little bit extra in taking above and beyond risks that is what it feels and looks like. The problem with Sweden is you can’t not look at anyone. I have put Elfyn as my one to watch because I saw a different Elfyn in Monte, but actually all of them have the ability to get on the top step of the podium, other than the M-Sport drivers right now with Gregoire (Munster) and Josh (McErlean).”
Sesks return to M-Sport-Ford to re-invigorate championship
WRC
“He has really been putting in the graft with testing on snow events. He won a rally in Latvia recently and he is putting in all of the work.
“I think again from a fan perspective having Sesks into the mix really invigorates the championship and the fans not that they need much invigorating after what was a magnificent Monte.
"Now we get to see him on snow and we all know he is going to come in with an attitude of joy and excitement, but it is a big question as to what he can achieve out there.
“This will be a rally that will suit him as he certainly likes speed. How he will measure up against the drivers who have experience of these stages will be difficult, but I can guarantee you it will be entertaining.”
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