So we enter the 2013 Rally Sweden with Citroën in the lead for the manufacturers title, VW with it's stunning performance snatched 2nd place in the overall standings after their first ever WRC event with Polo.
My guess is that VW won't be pushing for the win if it means taking too many risks to catch up with the leaders, or will they? The goal of their first WRC season is to improve the car and make it 2014 WRC winner, could we see some wins as soon as this year?
J-M Latvala (Jean-Marrie as Loeb once called him) is certenly not happy with lack of pace and late retirement in Monte Carlo. He has "grown" as a driver in last few seasons, but will the Flying Finn's ego overcome team orders to have a safe rally? He's also Sweden's 2008 and 2012 winner.
Fords will be on a charge! Mads is really fast on snow (finished 2nd and 3rd on last two rally Sweden events), so is Hänninen but is less experienced and tends to crash a lot. I'm expecting a strong start from Ford's drivers, however it may not be long lasting.
Loeb's got nothing to lose, he'll be taking part on just 3 more rallies this season, he'll be flat out - "
for sure"! Mikko with his local knowledge will burn some studs too on Sweden ice, if he get's the feeling with the car right, he'll be a man chasing 3rd Sweden victory too after 2010 and 2011.
I think we'll have some epic battles on snow covered forest stages of Sweden between Loeb, Hirvonen, Latvala and Østberg, with Loeb coming on top once again!
What do you think?
This post was edited by msbrz on Feb 2 2013 03:29am
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