Teemu Suninen: “An incredible feeling”

Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) et Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) au tapis, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) parti à la faute et relégué à plus de 50″, Ott Tänak (Toyota) seemed the favorite to take control of the Rally of Sweden this Friday, but the driver of the world champion team was unable to contain the attacks of Teemu suninen.

The pilot M-Sport Ford a pris l’avantage ce soir pour deux petites secondes en profitant en partie de sa position sur la route en début de journée, et en réalisant un sans-faute là où bon nombre de pilotes ont été surpris par les conditions délicates des routes nordiques.

It is also a great first for Suninen to find himself at the head of a World Championship rally at the end of a stage. “It's an incredible feeling, admits the winner of two special stages today.

We didn't make any big mistakes and had a very good pace all day. We can therefore rejoice in that. It's just a shame we had a small problem with the headlights in SS8 (the additional ramp came off). Otherwise our lead could have been an additional 10 seconds. »
 
If it will be difficult for him to resist the length of the Ott Tänak who is always impressive on the Swedish roads, Suninen intends to give the most constant and solid response possible to the Toyota driver.
 
“Of course everyone's goal is to be the fastest, but we have to remember that there are still two days left in very difficult conditions, continues Suninen. We have to continue and focus on driving. »

M-Sport Ford should not be buried too quickly according to Richard Millener

This good result from Teemu Suninen this Friday could undoubtedly have been even better for the Dovenby Hall team, without an error from Elfyn Evans in SS2, the Welshman remaining fourth at the end of this stage.

Enough to give serious arguments to Team Principal Richard Millener in the face of certain detractors. " I think that a few people had doubts about us before this rally even started, but we knew we had the car and the drivers to achieve a good result, indicates the manager.

We have not stopped developing this car and we have not stopped believing in the potential of our young team. There is still a long way to go and we know that the drivers behind will make an effort, but we have every chance of obtaining a very good result this weekend. »