Neuville takes his revenge in Sweden

Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) had a score to settle with the Rally from Sweden. The Belgian was in the lead last year before retiring in a super special following a slight contact. The vice-world champion can finally turn the page on this disillusionment by winning this time in the Scandinavian event with almost 20 seconds ahead of Craig Breen (Citroën), while Andreas Mikkelsen took his first podium for Hyundai Motorsport. Here he signs his seventh success in WRC.

Esapekka Lappi (Toyota) finished strong by gaining two places in the last stage to finish in fourth place with more than eight seconds ahead of Hayden Paddon (Hyundai), while Mads Ostberg (Citroën) finally failed at the foot of the Top 5 for his first rally on the C3 WRC.

Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) took the points for seventh position ahead of his compatriot Teemu Suninen, first driver M-Sport, whose team suffered greatly from positions on the road since no Ford achieved a scratch on this rally. The Top 10 is completed by Ott Tänak (Toyota) and Elfyn Evans (M-Sport).

Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport) was in tenth place before the Power Stage, but the five-time WRC champion preferred to start at the back, even if it meant taking a significant penalty, to save as many points as possible in the final stage. The bet paid off as he set the second fastest time, 1”3 behind Esapekka Lappi's scratch, ahead of the i20 WRCs of Andreas Mikkelsen and Thierry Neuville, with Ott Tänak taking the last additional point.

Thierry Neuville thus takes the lead in the Championship with 11 points ahead of Sébastien Ogier. Jari-Matti Latvala and Esapekka Lappi each have 23 units, two more than Esapekka Lappi and Andreas Mikkelsen. Craig Breen has 20 points, three more than Kris Meeke. Hyundai Motorsport also takes control of the Manufacturers' Championship, one point ahead of Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Takamoto Katsuta (Ford) resisted pressure from Pontus Tidemand (Skoda) to take victory in WRC 2, maintaining a 4” lead over the Swede. Ole Veiby (Skoda) completed the category podium half a minute behind.

For his work in a Skoda Fabia R5 (not entered in WRC 2), Johan Kristoffersson retained sixth place in the category with less than a second ahead of Jari Huttunen (Hyundai).

Denis Radström took victory in WRC 3 and JWRC by seven seconds over his compatriot Emil Bergkvist. The French Jean-Baptiste Franceschi and Terry Folb complete the Top 5 categories behind the German Jules Tannert.

The WRC will resume its rights on the weekend of March 11 with the Rally of Mexico.

Discover the analysis of the Swedish Rally carried out by our special correspondent in issue 2153 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.