The last image of the Rally World Championship in the fans’ retina was indeed epic, with Sébastien Ogier, a legend of the championship, winning for the 10th time in the Monte Carlo sections after resisting the harsh climatic conditions of the legendary Turini on the last day. This unbeatable start to the championship set the tone for the rest of the season, although it was clear that the best drivers did not want to win the title easily. The championship now moves on to another cult appointment, the snow of Sweden, where the battle for the top spot will be fierce.
The Challenges of Sweden
Sweden is a challenging appointment that everyone knows and few dominate. The snow alters the plan, condemns the one who comes out in the lead, and holds different scenarios. The classic spectacle section that took Evans was just the beginning, but little will resemble real action. As Evans acknowledged, “It was dark, it was difficult to know where to trace.” The drivers must limit their losses between the snowbanks, where relying on instinct is as necessary as it is dangerous.
The list of candidates for the top spot is wide, and it is clear that giving the first blow to the World Cup is the mission. Those who suffered in Monte Carlo, such as Champion Neuville and Tanak, will be looking to make a comeback. Neuville had two track exits in the same curve, while Tanak shattered his car in a gutter and sank when he could have fought for the podium. However, Hyundai has responded to that defeat with a new evolution of their car, which will debut in Sweden.
The New Hyundai i20 N Rally1
The i20 N Rally1 has undergone significant changes, with the Asian factory strengthening the behavior of the car, including direction, suspensions, and maneuverability. As Fourmaux said, “It’s a rocket. The boys have built a rocket.” The team’s boss, Cyril Abiteboul, explained that they are “strongly developing what we had.” This new evolution will be put to the test in Sweden, where the drivers will face challenging conditions.
The current classification has Evans in the lead, followed closely by Rovanperä and Tänak. Fourmaux is also in the mix, just 1.2 seconds behind Evans. The rest of the drivers, including Neuville, Katsuta, and Pajari, will be looking to make up ground and get back into the championship.
The fans will be eagerly watching the developments in Sweden, where the drivers will face some of the toughest conditions in the championship. With the new Hyundai i20 N Rally1 and the challenging snow-covered roads, this appointment promises to be one of the most exciting of the season. Will Evans be able to maintain his lead, or will one of the other drivers make a comeback? Only time will tell.
