Kalle Rovanpera was one of the most powerful rally drivers competing for the coveted trophy at the Rally Sweden 2022. He immediately set the goal. A bit of luck, cold-mindedness and calculation allowed Toyota Gazoo Racing driver to rise to the podium in the middle of the frozen forest in Umea!
Intro.
The rally weekend in Sweden was difficult. Psychologically, it was hard to concentrate on it. We pray for all the people in Ukraine and also hope that the situation will end soon. We stand by every issue has the peaceful decision.
Rally Sweden 2022: Which drivers claimed to be the fastest?
Hyundai Motorsport recovers after Rally Monte Carlo
As we have already written, the tricky ice and unpredictable snowfalls of the Sweden Rally are also easy for drivers from the north to cope with. Thus, Ott Tanak, the Estonian national star, was probably the most coveted leader. Thousands of rally fans from Estonia always come to Sweden for the annual rally event. Tanak, like Thierry Neuville, has the only victory of the Rally Sweden in their pocket. After the unsuccessful Monte Carlo Rally, the Estonian traveled to Umea with full batteries to set new personal bests. Although, the weekend was unsuccessful. Friday, SS6 Ott Tanak retired because of technical problems with his I20 N. Estonian has been running a good time since Saturday. Even Sunday he won the SS17, but it is still not enough for a victory. Tanak won the Wolf Power Stage to receive five bonus points.
Another Hyundai driver, Thierry Neuville, had good reasons to have the best result of all time in the Rally Sweden 2022. The Hyundai WRC team came to Umea with no points. After a two-year lead and second place in the 2021 FIA Rally World Championship, the team has an enormous need for recovery. The plan does not work for the Rally Monte Carlo 2022, but in part works for the Rally Sweden 2022. Thierry Neuville had a good time throughout the weekend in Umea. The Belgian rally driver got the extra power in his Hyundai i20 N after news that the fastest Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, Elfyn Evans, retired. Neuville finished second in the Rally Sweden 2022, well done Therry!
Toyota Gazoo Racing sets the time on Rally Sweden 2022.
Earlier, Elfyn Evans was on the podium for the first time in Sweden in 2011, but this weekend was different. Five different riders led for three days in Sweden. Elfyn Evans was among them. As fast as possible, Evans wonders you with impossible times, but alas. The terrible snowbank decided on everything! Toyota GR Yaris driver crashed into a snowbank on the last morning after leading the series after two of 13 rounds with 14 points!
Elfyn Evans already had the incident at the Saturday’s evening on SS15, the finish line crash.
After Sebastien Ogier shared his grand plans with the world, there became a free place at the wheel of the Toyota GR Yaris. Esapekka Lappi, back in the team after a three-year absence, immediately found the maximum of the car. Lappi finished the podium at a good pace, 8.6 seconds behind when he finished third to Rally Sweden 2022. A breathtaking comeback!
But the real stun made a younger star Kalle Rovanpera!
Kalle Rovanpera is the youngest WRC winner of all time. He won the Estonia Rally in 2021. He was 20 years and 290 days. It seems like it was yesterday! After his second victory in the Acropolis Rally 2021, Finn did not let us wait long.
Toyota Gazoo Racing set the best time during the weekend on Rally Sweden 2022, and so did Elfyn Evans. Compared to his teammate, Rovanpera was more cautious in the frozen areas of Umea and saved his cool head. After Evans met the snowbank, the 21-year-old Finn took command on snow and icy roads. This allowed Kalle Rovanpera to take the lead in his hands and made a victory in Rally Sweden! Finn leads the FIA World Rally Championship. Bravo!
Another Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, Takamoto Katsuta, finished Rally Sweden out of top three. Japanese is in fourth place and sixth in drivers’ championship.
Violet Pumas by M-Sport Ford.
Rally fans waited for the breakthrough by purple Pumas from M-Sport Ford. Sebastien Loeb’s stunning victory at the Rally Monte Carlo 2021 made you wait for an amazing speed from Craig Breen, Gus Greensmith and Adrien Fourmax, but unfortunately. Sebastien Loeb celebrates his birthday on Saturday 26 February in the far distance. The start of the Rally Sweden gave Craig Breen and Greensmith hope, but the rivals were too strong! Craig Breen netted the last point in a Ford Puma. While Greensmith shows the best result of Ford and finished the weekend in Sweden in fifth place. Toyota Gazoo Racing leads the manufacturers’ championship.
To make the sums on the Rally Sweden 2022, the second round in the FIA WRC, the entire championship brings unpredictable tones. Thus, previously the powerful Toyota Gazoo Racing proves the strength because of the experiences with hybrid. Meanwhile, the “outside the top” Team M-Sport already has the surprises. Seems that purple Pumas charged with racing magic, which could be shot up in the unpredictable moment. Against this background, Hyundai drivers, however, need time to get used to the new Rally1 cars. How much? Time will tell. Although, all paddocks of the WRC have two months before the Croatia Rally, which is scheduled in FIA WRC Calendar 2022 to take place from 21 to 24 April 2022 .
Leave a Comment