Grönholm back in a WRC for Sweden

Certainly, the former glories of the World Rally Championship (WRC) all meet up for the Rally of Sweden 2019 (February 14-17)! After Sébastien Loeb at Hyundai, Petter Solberg on a Ford Escort MkII, it is the turn of Marcus Gronholm to come back.

Bosse is back. Rally Sweden 2019 will be pure magic. #bump #rallysweden #wrc pic.twitter.com/QNpLiUQcgC

— Rally Sweden (@RallySweden) January 15, 2019

The Finn, double world champion in 2000 and 2002 with Peugeot , established an association with the Toyota Gazoo Racing during the only snow race of the season. He will drive a Yaris WRC in the official team, the same car as the regular drivers Ott Tänak, Kris Meeke or Jari-Matti Latvala. 

The rumor, which circulated in the discipline's paddock in August 2018 (see Ah n°2176) on the sidelines of the Finnish rally, had been strengthened in recent days by the Nordic media. In the right seat, we will obviously find Timo Rautiainen, who is none other than the brother-in-law of Marcus Grönholm. 

>>> Top 5 most notable cars of Marcus Grönholm's career <<<

This will be his first participation in the WRC since… the 2010 Swedish Rally. At the time, he rented a Ford Focus WRC and finished in 21st place, while also winning a special stage.

Marcus Grönholm's other results in Sweden are more flattering. He even shares the record for victories on snow in the World Championship with Stig Blomqvist (5, acquired in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007)! 

Find AUTO’s 2019 WRC Guidehebdo in digital version and from Wednesday on newsstands.