Rally Sweden
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With his second straight win, Ogier is already in an ominous position in the championship, leading nearest challenger Neuville by 24 after just two rounds.
But the champion is absolutely convinced he's not going to win the next round in Mexico next month, as running first on the inevitably dusty roads there for two full days will be too big a disadvantage to overcome.
Neuville, Mikkelsen and Latvala won't be in brilliant road positions there either, so it could be a chance for Robert Kubica, Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke to make a splash as they're all currently quite short of points.
As ever, you'll be able to follow it all on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live, from Friday March 6 to Sunday March 8.
Before then, our next live action will be from Barcelona Formula 1 testing, which runs from Thursday to Sunday in the coming week.
But the champion is absolutely convinced he's not going to win the next round in Mexico next month, as running first on the inevitably dusty roads there for two full days will be too big a disadvantage to overcome.
Neuville, Mikkelsen and Latvala won't be in brilliant road positions there either, so it could be a chance for Robert Kubica, Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke to make a splash as they're all currently quite short of points.
As ever, you'll be able to follow it all on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live, from Friday March 6 to Sunday March 8.
Before then, our next live action will be from Barcelona Formula 1 testing, which runs from Thursday to Sunday in the coming week.
Quote
Eyvind Brynildsen finishes second in WRC2 and is quick to ask about countryman Mikkelsen.
"I can see lots of Norwegian flags - did he win?"
Not quite...
"I can see lots of Norwegian flags - did he win?"
Not quite...
Checkered flag
SS21 results:
Stage times:
1 Ogier 8m05.6s
2 Neuville +4.8s
3 Ostberg +9.9s
4 Latvala +11.5s
5 Evans +15.2s
6 Paddon +19.3s
Final result:
1 Ogier
2 Neuville +6.4s
3 Mikkelsen +39.8s
4 Tanak +2m26.0s
5 Paddon +3m31.5s
6 Evans +3m53.0s
7 Meeke +4m05.8s
8 Prokop +4m26.0s
9 Protasov +5m32.2s
10 Ostberg +6m50.9s
11 Abbring +7m55.6s
12 Latvala +9m11.9s
Stage times:
1 Ogier 8m05.6s
2 Neuville +4.8s
3 Ostberg +9.9s
4 Latvala +11.5s
5 Evans +15.2s
6 Paddon +19.3s
Final result:
1 Ogier
2 Neuville +6.4s
3 Mikkelsen +39.8s
4 Tanak +2m26.0s
5 Paddon +3m31.5s
6 Evans +3m53.0s
7 Meeke +4m05.8s
8 Prokop +4m26.0s
9 Protasov +5m32.2s
10 Ostberg +6m50.9s
11 Abbring +7m55.6s
12 Latvala +9m11.9s
Trophy
Jari Ketomaa comes through to win WRC2 - a result he's looked on course for since Friday. There's also a very strong field in the support class here so that's fully deserved.
Would it be painfully twee to say that the World Rally Championship is the real winner this weekend?
On Friday morning things were not looking promising - three VWs running one-two-three in championship order, stretching away from each other and everyone else.
Then it all went crazy when Ogier and Latvala made their mistakes, and then Neuville found another gear on Saturday morning and spiced things up even more.
Sebastien Loeb, it would be lovely to have you back more often too, but the WRC's post-Loeb pack can entertain without him.
On Friday morning things were not looking promising - three VWs running one-two-three in championship order, stretching away from each other and everyone else.
Then it all went crazy when Ogier and Latvala made their mistakes, and then Neuville found another gear on Saturday morning and spiced things up even more.
Sebastien Loeb, it would be lovely to have you back more often too, but the WRC's post-Loeb pack can entertain without him.
Trophy
Straight to the podium and the champagne. Ogier looks a bit subdued initially - partly probably because he's knackered and partly out of politeness to his gutted team-mate. But now he jogs over to the fans and gives them a spray of fizz.
Congratulatory handshakes for Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul from the other drivers at the stage end too, and rightly so.
It wasn't quite a second win for Hyundai, but Neuville was only 6s behind Ogier's VW at the end, which is still an astounding result that bodes very well for the rest of the season.
It wasn't quite a second win for Hyundai, but Neuville was only 6s behind Ogier's VW at the end, which is still an astounding result that bodes very well for the rest of the season.
Mikkelsen still made it home for a podium in third place, 39s off the lead. Not much consolation but surely, surely this man will win Rally Sweden one day after his performances over the past two years.
Ogier and Julien Ingrassia were informed of Mikkelsen's spin as soon as pictures of the #3 Polo nose-first in the snow flashed up on the big screens. They immediately jumped onto their car's roof to start celebrating.
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Mikkelsen climbs disconsolately from the VW and walks over to the crowd of reporters, while co-driver Ola Floene can't bring himself to get out of the car yet.
"We gave it everything. Just a snow bank pulled the car in, and we were stuck. We gave it all we had in the last one. We tried, that's the main thing."
"We gave it everything. Just a snow bank pulled the car in, and we were stuck. We gave it all we had in the last one. We tried, that's the main thing."
Trophy
The Norwegian navigates the final few corners of the rally, getting a fantastic reception from his fans at what is effectively his home event - he's 42.8s off the pace, which means Ogier is the winner of Rally Sweden!
Breaking news
Replays show Mikkelsen braking just a fraction late, clipping a snow bank with the rear, and spinning round. He's back on track now, but he's going to drop from first to third. Heartbreak!
Crash
The Norwegian has spun, and crowds of spectators are trying desperately to get him back on track!
Crash
Mikkelsen is off! Ogier is going to win Rally Sweden!
Stopwatch
Ogier gives it absolutely everything through the final part of the stage, taking huge air at the final crest - and he smashes Neuville's time by 4.8s!
Breaking news
At the first split, Mikkelsen and Ogier are neck-and-neck! It's looking good for the Norwegian, but can he hang on?
Quote
This is going to be a long six minutes for Neuville. Here's what the Belgian has to say at the end of his rally:
"I took big risks to be honest, but everything went well. I've worked very hard this weekend, it's a big wake-up call for the team."
"I took big risks to be honest, but everything went well. I've worked very hard this weekend, it's a big wake-up call for the team."
Stopwatch
Neuville goes quickest by 5.1s - but will it be enough? Just the two VWs to come...
Breaking news
A quick reminder of the state of play for the top three:
1) Mikkelsen
2) Ogier +3.0s
3) Neuville +4.6s
1) Mikkelsen
2) Ogier +3.0s
3) Neuville +4.6s
Things weren't looking promising for Tanak early in this rally, but the Estonian hasn't put a wheel wrong since his opening day problems, and fourth place is a just reward.
Meanwhile, Ogier is 1.6s up on Neuville at the first split...
Meanwhile, Ogier is 1.6s up on Neuville at the first split...
Paddon brings what is effectively Sordo's Hyundai home, 9.4s off the pace, to secure his best-ever WRC finish with fifth.
Ogier, meanwhile, is now in the stage, as Neuville tops Ostberg's opening split time by 2.3s.
Ogier, meanwhile, is now in the stage, as Neuville tops Ostberg's opening split time by 2.3s.
So far, Ostberg is set for the maximum three points, with Latvala on course for two and Evans one - but don't expect the top three to be taking things easy.
Evans makes it home with his sixth place safely in tact, 5.3s adrift of Ostberg on the stage.
That's a job well done for the Welshman, who has gained precious experience on snow while also scooping a decent haul of points.
Further back, Neuville is now underway. All eyes on the splits...
That's a job well done for the Welshman, who has gained precious experience on snow while also scooping a decent haul of points.
Further back, Neuville is now underway. All eyes on the splits...
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Arriving at the stage end, Meeke loses 16.7s to team-mate Ostberg, but it's enough to hang on to seventh.
"It was a fast right-hander, and I touched the [snow bank] with the rear, which sucked in the front," is Meeke's take on his costly error.
Evans will be next through, then Paddon and Tanak before the three cars all eyes will be upon.
"It was a fast right-hander, and I touched the [snow bank] with the rear, which sucked in the front," is Meeke's take on his costly error.
Evans will be next through, then Paddon and Tanak before the three cars all eyes will be upon.
Crash
Meeke's quickest through the first split so far, 2.1s up on Ostberg - but the Ulsterman has suffered a spin later on, so that's surely his chances of overhauling Evans up in smoke.
Meanwhile, Prokop comes home 18.7s off the pace, but could he be set to gain a place at Meeke's expense?
Meanwhile, Prokop comes home 18.7s off the pace, but could he be set to gain a place at Meeke's expense?
Stopwatch
Ostberg lowers Latvala's benchmark by 1.5s, a great effort having been down on Latvala through the opening split. Could three points be in the offing for the Citroen driver?
"For the first time on the rally, the car is working perfect - but it's very disappointing to know what I could have had this rally."
"For the first time on the rally, the car is working perfect - but it's very disappointing to know what I could have had this rally."
Quote
Abbring gets plenty of air over the crest near the flying finish, and the Dutchman slots in third fastest so far, 15.1s slower than Latvala.
It's not been an easy factory WRC debut, but one he can look back upon with satisfaction despite the likely lack of points.
"The conditions were new, but getting used to the speed and potential of a WRC car was even more difficult," says Abbring.
It's not been an easy factory WRC debut, but one he can look back upon with satisfaction despite the likely lack of points.
"The conditions were new, but getting used to the speed and potential of a WRC car was even more difficult," says Abbring.
Stopwatch
Latvala takes nine seconds out of Kubica's time, but interestingly he's three seconds slower than his stage-winning time of a couple of hours ago.
Henning Solberg is next to complete - and he's 8.1s slower than Kubica. The Norwegian sits 14th at the moment, although that could become 13th depending on WRC-2 leader Ketomaa's effort.
Next to complete will be Latvala, followed by Abbring, Ostberg and Prokop.
Next to complete will be Latvala, followed by Abbring, Ostberg and Prokop.
Kubica takes the flying finish, setting a time to beat of 8m26.1s - 1.1s slower than his previous attempt on the stage.
With WRC-2 driver Ahlin 38s up the road, it seems the Pole is set to end the rally down in 20th after that differential problem and five-minute penalty.
With WRC-2 driver Ahlin 38s up the road, it seems the Pole is set to end the rally down in 20th after that differential problem and five-minute penalty.
Latvala sets off in search of some consolation points on the power stage.
Without his trip to that snow bank on Friday, he could well have been in the thick of this morning's action.
Without his trip to that snow bank on Friday, he could well have been in the thick of this morning's action.
Lights out
As Kubica gets proceedings under way, here's more from DAVID EVANS:
"The feeling in the service park is that Mikkelsen winning would be more popular – especially as he’s in last year’s car, one of Ogier's rally-winning chassis from last year.
"When I asked him about that, he said: 'Imagine if I had the new car' – he gets it in Portugal."
"The feeling in the service park is that Mikkelsen winning would be more popular – especially as he’s in last year’s car, one of Ogier's rally-winning chassis from last year.
"When I asked him about that, he said: 'Imagine if I had the new car' – he gets it in Portugal."
Some more service park insight from DAVID EVANS:
"Interesting to note that Mikkelsen was in the service area, while Ogier was with the engineers – usually they’re together, but on this occasion they were apart.
"None of the VW mechanics were moving around; they were all sticking to their own cars, and were trying to conceal which tyres each car was using.
"All three drivers claim to have brand new tyres, but both VW’s tyres defintely looked a bit second-hand.
"I didn't see Neuville's tyres, but when I asked him if he had new tyres, he did his usual beaming smile and said - 'Yes, of course I have!'"
"Interesting to note that Mikkelsen was in the service area, while Ogier was with the engineers – usually they’re together, but on this occasion they were apart.
"None of the VW mechanics were moving around; they were all sticking to their own cars, and were trying to conceal which tyres each car was using.
"All three drivers claim to have brand new tyres, but both VW’s tyres defintely looked a bit second-hand.
"I didn't see Neuville's tyres, but when I asked him if he had new tyres, he did his usual beaming smile and said - 'Yes, of course I have!'"
While we wait for the power stage to commence, here's more from DAVID EVANS:
"It’s rare to find a Red Bull-liveried machine going anything other than flat out on a round of the World Rally Championship, but AUTOSPORT managed it yesterday morning when we were hideously baulked by this thing…"
"It’s rare to find a Red Bull-liveried machine going anything other than flat out on a round of the World Rally Championship, but AUTOSPORT managed it yesterday morning when we were hideously baulked by this thing…"
Red Bull
We're about 20 minutes away from the final stage starting, which gives us a perfect opportunity to bring you up to date on last night's hectic NASCAR action.
Matt Kenseth emerged victorious in an incident-packed Sprint Unlimited race at Daytona, in which less than half the field made the chequered flag, edging out Martin Truex Jr and Carl Edwards for the win.
Click here for our summary of a rather messy race.
Matt Kenseth emerged victorious in an incident-packed Sprint Unlimited race at Daytona, in which less than half the field made the chequered flag, edging out Martin Truex Jr and Carl Edwards for the win.
Click here for our summary of a rather messy race.
Twitter
Speaking of Latvala, here's a tweet from the man himself, wishing luck to our three challengers for the win:
"Heading now to the last SS. Will really push to try to get extra points in the PS! And #GoodLuck to the 3 guys in front. What a fight! #WRC"
"Heading now to the last SS. Will really push to try to get extra points in the PS! And #GoodLuck to the 3 guys in front. What a fight! #WRC"
Latvala
The youngest, I hear you ask? That would be Jari-Matti Latvala, who was just 22 when he chalked up his maiden success at this very event seven years ago.
For the record, between Latvala and Mikkelsen would sit Henri Toivonen, Ostberg, Markku Alen, Duval and Colin McRae.
At 25 years of age, Mikkelsen is among the youngest of this year's contingent of factory of WRC drivers.
In fact, were he to hang on to take the win today, he would become the seventh youngest ever winner of a rally in the championship's history.
In fact, were he to hang on to take the win today, he would become the seventh youngest ever winner of a rally in the championship's history.
Food
Some more culinary insight from AUTOSPORT's man on the ground, DAVID EVANS:
"M-Sport’s legendary foodie Mick the Chef further demonstrated his exceptional ability to cook anything up anywhere and anytime when he put together some stunning pasta out the back of a Galaxy in a car park at the Karlstad superspecial on Friday."
In WRC-2, class honours on the last stage went to Pontus Tidemand, who, if you missed it, bizarrely topped the superspecial stage that kicked off the action on Thursday evening. The Swede isn't in contention for the class win however, having suffered an off on Friday.
It's still Ketomaa who leads the way on that front, sitting 12th overall, but sure to drop behind Latvala on the final stage barring disaster for the Finn.
Brynildsen remains second, about 30s behind, with Valeriy Gorban a further three minutes back in third.
It's still Ketomaa who leads the way on that front, sitting 12th overall, but sure to drop behind Latvala on the final stage barring disaster for the Finn.
Brynildsen remains second, about 30s behind, with Valeriy Gorban a further three minutes back in third.
By: Jamie Klein, AUTOSPORT staff
Published:
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