The 5 highlights of the 2017 season

Le WRC has found a second youth this year with the establishment of the 2017 WRC. More powerful and more efficient, the new regulations have redistributed the cards at the same time as Citroën Racing and Toyota Gazoo Racing made their return with the C3 and the Yaris taking on the Ford Fiesta and the Hyundai i20.

After Rally Monte-Carlo won by Sébastien Ogier following the abandonment of Thierry Neuville, the Belgian had the opportunity to recover during the following event at the Swedish Rally. But the Hyundai driver lost big by making a mistake in a super special at the end of the stage. The i20 WRC hit a pile of tires. Impossible to continue for Neuville who let Jari-Matti Latvala offer the first victory to Toyota for his return when he could have built up a solid lead in the Championship by achieving the double. The 2016 vice-champion will have a hard time getting over this new disappointment.

During the following round at the Rally Mexico, Kris Meeke proved that the C3 WRC had the potential to compete with its competitors by taking the top step of the podium. It's a relief for the Northern Irishman who retired in Monte-Carlo and suffered an accident in Sweden. However, the spearhead of the Reds gave his team a big scare when he came out at full speed in the Power Stage of the Mexican event. Despite an endless search to find the road, Meeke managed to cross the finish line while maintaining a lead of 14 seconds over Sébastien Ogier.

The WRC teams then meet at the Tour de Corse for the first real asphalt event of the season. Kris Meeke is aiming for a second consecutive victory, taking advantage of his horse's good potential on tarmac surfaces, but the Northern Irishman unfairly sees his hopes go up in smoke. The engine of his C3 WRC died in the sixth special following an oil leak, allowing Thierry Neuville to finally return to success and regain his confidence.

After two new successes for Thierry Neuville in Argentina and Poland, the crews are preparing to take on the Rally Finland, which is one of the main events for rally fans each season. It was on this occasion that the Belgian took control of the Championship, despite finishing sixth place, taking advantage of the retirement of Sébastien Ogier who ended his race against a tree. The accident injured his co-driver Julien Ingrassia, who suffered a concussion. The arrival will be more joyful for Esapekka Lappi who will score his first WRC victory at home.

Wales Rally GB allows M-Sport to treat yourself to the best weekend of your life. After two new consecutive retirements for Thierry Neuville in Germany and Catalonia, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia secured their fifth world title in a row by climbing to the last step of the podium, while Malcolm Wilson's team secured same time of the coronation among the Manufacturers. At the same time, Elfyn Evans scored his first WRC success by taking advantage of Dmack tires, which for once outperformed Michelin rubber.

Discover our special issue of the 2017 WRC season and its DVD on newsstands from Thursday December 21.