Tanak pulls clear, Neuville hangs onto third
The 2019 world champion managed to pull a further 3.0s clear of Hyundai rival Craig Breen to lead the Irishman by 11.2s with two stages remaining at the snow rally. Equipped with fresh studded tyres, Tanak was able to clock the second fastest time on Stage 16 (Vastervik, 26.4km), while Breen, utilising a mix of […]
Pirelli explains WRC Rally Sweden tyre failures
Hyundai duo Craig Breen and Esapekka Lappi, and M-Sport’s Ott Tanak suffered sudden front tyre failures during Saturday afternoon. In Stage 13, the failure contributed to Lappi firing off the road and into the snowbank, resulting in the Finn losing seven minutes, dropping him outside of the top 10 having held third up until that […]
Hybrid issue contributed to Breen losing WRC Rally Sweden lead
The Irishman was forced to complete the final three stages of the Saturday afternoon loop without the use of hybrid power after an issue with the 100kW Compact Dynamics-built unit. Breen started Saturday leading Tanak by 2.6s, with that lead briefly extending to 3.0s at the end of the morning loop. But as the afternoon […]
Tanak reclaims lead from Breen despite tyre failure
The pair survived tyre failures in consecutive stages across the afternoon loop, which had a significant impact on the fight for the lead. Tanak ultimately emerged with an 8.6s lead over Breen, which he will take into Sunday’s final three stages. Breen had held a 2.6s lead overnight but lost ground across the afternoon. Hyundai’s […]
Breen maintains lead, Rovanpera closes on podium
The Hyundai driver, contesting a first WRC event of a partial campaign, netted a fourth stage win of the snow rally to briefly extend his lead to 5.7s before Tanak fought back on the final stage of the loop. Tanak struggled for pace in the day’s first two stages but a push in Stage 11 […]
Rovanpera downplays WRC Rally Sweden victory hopes
The reigning world champion faced the most challenging of the road conditions thanks to his road order, which left him unable to stay in touch with leader Hyundai’s Craig Breen. Rovanpera started the day leading the rally by 1.6s from M-Sport Ford’s Ott Tanak after winning Thursday night’s Umea Sprint super special. However, a combination […]
Leading a WRC rally a “sweet” moment after 2022 «darkness»
The Irishman, contesting his first event of a partial 2023 campaign with Hyundai, set a blistering pace on his return to the WRC, winning three of Friday’s seven stages on Sweden’s snow covered roads. Making the most of a favourable road position, Breen managed to hold off a late charge from M-Sport’s Ott Tanak, the […]
Breen holds off Tanak charge to lead on WRC return
The Irishman, contesting a partial season with the Korean brand, quickly gelled with the i20 N to chalk up three stage wins that helped the former M-Sport driver into a slender 2.6s advantage. Breen’s afternoon push helped the 33-year-old snatch the lead from Tanak, who had held sway heading into the midday service. Tanak was […]
Katsuta retires after roll on Stage 5
The Japanese driver, competing in his first event as a factory pilot, had been running in fifth position having ended the morning loop by winning Stage 4, before midday service. However, in the first test (Brattby 2) of the afternoon loop Katsuta clipped a snowbank on the exit of a left-hander, which pitched the GR […]