Adrien Fourmaux, convinced there's a problem with the shock absorber: "We're really losing a lot of power."

Tenth in the eleventh special stage, nine seconds behind Oliver Solberg, the fastest time of the loop, Adrien fourmaux is now 9,3 seconds behind Esapekka Lappi, fifth, and 1:12.3 behind the leader of the rally Elfyn Evans. 

By the end of the morning, the conclusion is clear: "For me, we're exactly at the same level."he explains to AUTOhebdo. “We have three cars with three different setups to try and see which direction [is best], and in the end, we're pretty much the same. […] There's only one thing we all have that we can't change, and that's our dampers. So I'm convinced we have a big problem with that, at least here in Sweden. […] It's the only thing we can't change; we have the same sets. And that's where we're really losing a lot.” 

The driver believes that the observed behavior is reminiscent of certain difficulties encountered at Monte Carlo, particularly in the way the shock absorber reacts. "I think there are similarities [with Monte Carlo] in how the shock absorber behaves, and I think we really need to work on that."He insists, convinced that this technical weakness is severely hindering performance in Sweden. Especially since, according to him, the pace shown is not slower than in 2025: “Looking back at last year, I didn’t think it would have affected us so much here. But, well, if we stay at the same level and the others manage to take a step forward, it inevitably creates a gap. Honestly, I think we’re at the same pace as last year, maybe even a little better, but on the other hand, it’s the Toyota who have really made a leap forward compared to their level last year.

ALSO READ > Oliver Solberg is aiming for the podium at the Rally Sweden: "We're going to try and catch Sami Pajari"

Despite the desire to quickly move on to something else, it is not yet time to make plans for Kenya or the next rounds. "First, I'm staying focused on this weekend.", he says. "There's still a race to finish, there are still points to be won, even if it won't be a huge amount, we still have to go and get them, so that's important. [Esapekka] Lappi isn't very far behind, we should try to overtake him this afternoon, or even tomorrow, I mean, it's going to be decided right up to the end." 

Before thinking about the rest of the championship, Fourmaux wants a technical answer. « I really want us to focus on resolving this problem.he concluded, determined to identify what he considered to be his "bete noire" » on the Swedish snow.

Interview by Pierre Barré, in Umeå, Sweden