WRC Rally Sweden 2019
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Rally leader Neuville is now off into the stage.
Road conditions have been a hot topic leading up to this weekend's action. It looks like the opening kilometres on Hof-Finnskog has some sections which look rather brown instead of the hoped-for pristine ice white. Not great news for drivers hoping for good grip from their studded tyres.
Green flag
Sebastien Ogier gets us started, launching his Citroen into SS2.
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SS2 Hof-Finnskog 13.21 miles
This one has been the fastest stage on the event in the last few years – and that’s despite a fairly technical section in the start and a few junctions along the way. The middle part of the stage is really, really fast through the countryside before we turn off onto a smaller and more twisty road to the finish. On the recce we had a good base of ice here, but it might get a bit more rutted on the second run through.
This one has been the fastest stage on the event in the last few years – and that’s despite a fairly technical section in the start and a few junctions along the way. The middle part of the stage is really, really fast through the countryside before we turn off onto a smaller and more twisty road to the finish. On the recce we had a good base of ice here, but it might get a bit more rutted on the second run through.
Our first stage kicks off in around three or so minutes. So what to expect from Friday's opening test? We'll let 2003 world champion Petter Solberg explain...
David Evans
Rally Sweden’s unique in the WRC in that crews are only offered one choice of cover. Unlike the season opener in the French Alps, where there were four tyres to choose from, here the crews all run with a 15-inch 205 tyre fitted with 384 studs. For crews who ran at shakedown, there will be a total of 30 tyres available (24 for those who didn’t start shakedown).
So, all of one stage and Neuville vs Ogier is back on after the Monte Carlo Rally, it would appear from yesterday's skirmish. But though both rallies have a dusting of snow and patches of ice, there's a key difference, as DAVID EVANS explains.
Autosport
There was a single 1.2-mile superspecial in Karlstad last night, so there's times already on the board. Thierry Neuville won that and heads into Friday morning with 0.8s in hand over second placed Sebastien Ogier.
Sebastien Loeb, on the other hand, lost six seconds on said superspecial and starts today down in 16th! Here's our SS1 report for a quick catch-up.
Sebastien Loeb, on the other hand, lost six seconds on said superspecial and starts today down in 16th! Here's our SS1 report for a quick catch-up.
Good morning rally fans! Welcome to Autosport Live coverage of Rally Sweden, the second round of the World Rally Championship.
By: Matt Beer
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