A WRC2 of specialists in Sweden

Representing half of the field, the cars in the Rally2 category will once again liven up the debates. After a contested meeting in Monaco, WRC2 promises to be even more exciting with a fight between Nordics.

Published on 06/02/2023 à 06:32

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Brilliant last year, will Ole Christian Veiby be there?

Avant même d’évoquer la qualité des concurrents réunis, la quantité est déjà remarquable avec 26 équipages sur les 52 prévues à Umeå dans le nord de la Suède. Sans surprise, les Skoda sont les plus nombreuses avec 18 exemplaires, dont 7 RS. Si Hyundai garde des fidèles avec 4 concurrents, Citroën n’aura qu’une auto. Ce sera également le cas pour M-Sport, ce qui confirme le manque d’attirance de la Fiesta. Paierait-elle sa perte de compétitivité face à l’opposition ? Il n’y a aussi qu’une seule Polo, mais celle-ci sera emmenée par un des favoris.

Ole Christian Veiby had been excellent in 2022 (2^e) by pushing Andreas Mikkelsen to his limits. This year, the 26-year-old driver (who also rides with Mikkelsen's former navigator) comes with good preparation since he will be one of the few to have competed in 3 races in winter conditions in 2023. He has a total of 2 success and a 2^e place which makes him a serious candidate for victory. He is not the only one.

Will Oliver Solberg be able to meet expectations in his country? (Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI)

Among the locals, Oliver Solberg is inevitably the one who gets all the votes. Very fast in Monte-Carlo, the son of Petter has already demonstrated his adaptation to the new Fabia RS Rally2 while returning to WRC2 is an important challenge for the young man from Torsby. Will he display the same speed on snow which is in theory his favorite surface? Will he manage to handle the pressure? In order to get your championship off to a good start, a good result is essential. This will be the watchword among the imposing Finnish contingent.

Teemu Suninen is one of the favorites for the 2 WRC2023 title and the Finn wants to start his season well at Umea (Nikos Katikis / DPPI)

There are at least 3 of them aiming for first place, each with objectives that go beyond WRC2. If he has a convincing year, Teemu Suninen (Hyundai) can hope to move up to Rally1 in 2024. Identical ambitions for Emil Lindholm (Fabia RS) who wants to show that his 2022 title was justified. Jarri Huttunen has revenge to take after a disappointing year in a Fiesta Rally2.

He does not yet know what the rest of his season will bring and a success in Umeå would be welcome. Two other Finns will be worth watching, but their youth could play tricks on them. Recovered from his Monte-Carlo food poisoning, Sami Pajari (Fabia RS) will want to shine just like Lauri Joona (Fabia Evo).

Estonian Robert Virves begins his 2023 WRC2 program with a Fiesta Rally2 / © DPPI

Among the competitors from the North, the Estonians should not be ruled out. Georg Linnamäe will discover the Hyundai i20 Rally2, Egon Kaur will settle for a Fabia Evo and Robert Virves, the 2022 Junior champion, will start the prize won last year.

Faced with this host of Nordic or similar pretenders, the other nations pale in comparison. Marco Bulacia (Fabia RS) is the only one to have already set interesting times, but for his 2^e appearance in Sweden the Bolivian may still be a little tender. After the reconnaissance on Tuesday and Wednesday, the rally will start Thursday evening with the Umeå superspecial (5,16 km) from 19:05 p.m.