Rally Sweden 2020
10h
Meet at 11:08 a.m. for the last special of the morning, called Nyckelvattnet (bless you).
10h
Ott Tänak logically obtained his first scratch time at the wheel of a Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC this year, a few weeks after his accident in Monte-Carlo:
#WRC First ever stage win with the #Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC for @OttTanak & Martin as they go fastest through SS3 at @RallySweden! Good job boys! #HMSGOfficial pic.twitter.com/NHFaocxrIa
— Hyundai Motorsport (@HMSGOfficial) February 14, 2020
10h
In the WRC2 category, Adrien Fourmaux has progressed. The M-Sport protégé “only” lost 6″4 to Mads Ostberg in this special.
10h
The match is off to a good start on this 2020 Swedish Rally. Despite an unfavorable starting position, Ott Tänak (Toyota) set the best scratch time on SS3. The Estonian is close behind Elfyn Evans (Toyota) in the general classification, the two men being separated by only two tiny tenths!
For his first steps in the WRC category in Sweden, Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) remains focused. The Finn is third, ahead of his teammate champion Sébastien Ogier (4th at 8″2). Conversely, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) does not seem to be in the right tempo this Friday morning. As proof, we want the rise of Esapekka Lappi (Ford, 5th) over the Belgian (6th, + 11″9).
Undoubtedly too motivated by the idea of measuring himself against the regular competitors in the World Championship, Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) spun. The veteran concedes 50″ in the case.
SS3 ranking:
General classification after SS3:
10h
Jari-Matti Latvala spent around forty seconds in his pirouette. The hopes of a podium are considerably reduced for the veteran.
10h
Ott Tänak came up like an Estonian cuckoo. The wearer of No. 1 sets the best time with 9 tenths ahead of Elfyn Evans!
10h
We are informed of a spin by Jari-Matti Latvala in SS2!
10h
Takamoto Katsuta continues to waste time. The Japanese brings up the rear of the WRC with 14″6 lost to Elfyn Evans.
10h
Teemu Suninen sticks out his tongue. The Nordic loses almost 12″ on this special and is already 20″ behind leader Elfyn Evans.
10h
Kalle Rovanperä sets the second time, 3″3 behind Elfyn Evans.
10h
Esapekka Lappi is one of the good surprises of this special. The Ford M-Sport driver set the third time, 5″4 behind Eflyn Evans.
10h
In the general classification, Thierry Neuville passes beyond the 10″ barrier (11″9), while Sébastien Ogier is 8″2 behind.
10h
Elfyn Evans drives home the point with 5″3 ahead of Sébastien Ogier and 7″3 over Thierry Neuville!
10h
Sébastien Ogier is 3″2 overall on Thierry Neuville.
10h
Sébastien Ogier takes a 2″2 lead over Thierry Neuville in this special.
10h
At the second intermediate, Elfyn Evans takes second with almost 3″ ahead of her rivals.
10h
After 2,45 km, Thierry Neuville takes a slight margin over Elfyn Evans (2 tenths) and Sébastien Ogier (3 tenths).
10h
The frozen ground between the fir trees of the first kilometers disappears in the shadeless passages.
10h
Thierry Neuville opens the special.
10h
The second special (officially, SS3 due to the cancellation of SS1 on Thursday evening) will begin soon. Here is the ranking after SS2 (which was the first stage contested, are you following?):
