Expert Opinion: Rally Finland will be pivotal for title race

The World Rally Championship heads to its spiritual home in Finland this weekend with the fight for the victory wide open at a pivotal moment in the title race.

Known as the ‘gravel grand prix’, the high-speed blast through the Finland’s jump-ladened forest roads is one of the jewels in the WRC crown and it could prove to be a critical moment of the season.

For the first time since February there is a new name at the top of the WRC standings, with Hyundai’s Ott Tanak moving ahead of Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by a point after the former finished second in Estonia two weeks ago.

Both Tanak and Evans are expected to be fighting at the sharp end this weekend having previously conquered the Finnish roads. Toyota’s eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier is also a two-time Finland winner and is back at the wheel of a GR Yaris Rally1 car he vacated for Oliver Solberg, who scored a sensational maiden WRC win in Estonia. Solberg will return to the second tier WRC2 class this weekend hoping to extend his points lead in the class over Citroen’s Yohan Rossel.

But the pressure will be on home hero and two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera. The Finn is yet to win his home event, having crashed out of the lead in his previous two attempts. Rovanpera has struggled for form on gravel and is in need of a result to boost his title hopes, sitting 24 points adrift.

To get a read of the form book, DAZN News spoke to legendary WRC television commentator Becs Williams for an expert opinion.

Tanak is the WRC’s in-form driver but fight for win is wide open

Hyundai Motorsport

“I think Ott Tanak is the in-form driver and I think his mindset is there right now, which is the crucial thing. He has been far more positive about the car in the past few events, but even if he is not happy he seems to be able to work around the problem and his speed is there. They haven’t got to worry about Oliver Solberg this weekend but now that Ott is in the lead of he championship, and it has got tighter in the points standings, it is going to be pivotal here, especially when we are heading into a brand new event next in Paraguay.

“Ott has got great form here and so has Elfyn Evans, he ’s got two wins and Ott has three over the years. Psychologically maybe [Evans starting second on the road could be a factor] but Elfyn doesn’t really let that psychological stuff affect him. He just gets behind the wheel and he drives and he doesn’t really let that stuff get to him.

“The weather could make it easier for both of them if there is road sweeping to be done. I love the fact that it is so close and I think Elfyn has been underestimated on the past few events for what he has been able to do from first on the road and to still maintain the closeness in the championship. He has won here twice before and they have been really strong wins. I think even he has been surprised by the pace he has delivered out there.

“We know they can both do it and and we know Sebastien Ogier can do it. He is back this weekend and there are still big question marks as to how many events he is going to be doing this year. Could he possibly get a ninth title from a partial season? We we will find out this weekend I think. I think it is pivotal this week for that question.

“Thierry Neuville has also been showing some form especially on the fast stuff in Estonia and that is really encouraging for him and will give him confidence going here. Thierry does have the extra pressure knowing that he really has to get a good result otherwise he is going to be out of contention for the title shortly.”

Can the home crowd help Kalle Rovanpera overcome his tyre struggles?

Toyota Gazoo Racing

“I don’t know. Kalle said in Estonia if there is any rally he could win this year it would be Estonia because it is his favourite event it is where he took his first championship win and he wasn’t able to deliver the Rovanpera magic there. There is so much pressure, he is the name on the street here. I think with all of that pressure and the fact he has been asked probably a million times when he will win Rally Finland, is that going to be too much or does he take the bull by the horns and forget this struggle adapting to tyres?

How will Oliver Solberg react after Estonia triumph?

Toyota Gazoo Racing

“It will be tough for Oliver Solberg to take a step back into Rally2 and do his job trying to win the WRC2 championship when he knows that probably he could have come here and win Rally Finland in a Rally1 car. Talk about getting your wings clipped. But now it is case of what can he do in a Rally2 car against the Rally1 cars,. The Estonian win was amazing for him and huge step forward for his future.

“I think Oliver will have the advantage here over rivals Yohan Rossel and Gus Greensmith with his past form at the event but you can never tell what will happen in WRC2. It is pivotal round [in the championship] and they will all know that and that puts extra pressure on their shoulders.”

Everything could hinge on Super Sunday stages

Toyota Gazoo Racing

“I think two cases through the iconic Ouninpohja stage to end the rally on Sunday is going to be brilliant for the fans and as a spectacle it will be amazing. It is a Super Sunday in a condensed format so the drivers will have to give absolutely everything on these two stages.

“Even though this is a stage that is loved by the drivers and fans, it is complex stage that has caught so many out over the years. It is a massive challenge for a final day and it is going to be a thriller. This could decide the rally as this is not a short Power Stage it is decent length and everything could hinge on the final day.”

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