The big surprise was successful in the Swedish rally – the expert made a harsh comparison to the first drivers of the World Championship | Sport

You can listen to Pertti Lappalainen and Henri Haapamää’s summary of the stage-rich World Rally Championship in Sweden below.

Esapekka Lapin huge surprises were seen in the Swedish World Cup rally, which ended with a victory celebration. Kalle Rovanperä pulled out in the early stages, the rally2 drivers even chased the top positions of the WRC class and the French surprises for a long time Adrien Fourmaux eventually gassed for third.

At the end of Saturday, Fourmaux was second and got 15 MM points from it. On Sunday, he couldn’t match the runner-up in the final results by Elfyn Evans speed, but secured the first podium position of his career.

– You have to be satisfied with the investment. A very mature execution, except for a few situations where it was almost necessary, ‘s expert Henri Haapamäki analyze the performance of the French striker.

Fourmaux has been expected for years to become one of the top drivers in the rally world. A few years ago, the 28-year-old driver got a chance with a Ford rally1 car in the WRC class, but it didn’t work out and he had to find speed in the WRC2 class.

The podium finish was obviously a big relief for Fourmaux.

– A good result for his motivation as well as M-Sport’s operations. Gives new energy, Haapamäki emphasizes.

Fourmaux had to spoil his rally on Saturday night’s last special stage when he crashed in a corner. A mistake would have been devastating when driving for important World Championship points and top positions. For a large part of the time, Fourmaux was able to meet expectations surprisingly cleanly.

Haapamäki illustrates the drivers’ development curve. The pace must first rise to the level of the top drivers, after which it must be maintained by sensible driving and not excessive risk-taking.

– In a long run, from one rally to another, the toughest drivers are able to increase their speed and at the same time be fairly faultless. They don’t hang a little out of the way at every other bend, Haapamäki quivers.

The margin of error is extremely small

Sweden’s fast and narrow roads challenged every driver this year. The changing conditions made the rally really difficult, especially on Friday and Saturday. Among the top drivers in the series, Kalle Rovanperä as well Ott Tänak they stopped as a result of driving errors already on the fourth special test.

Takamoto Katsuta the rally ended in second place on the bench on Saturday. Other drivers also pollinated the benches a lot.

Friday’s snowfall benefited the last rally2 drivers so much that some of them won the class by Oliver Solberg in the lead momentarily to the top positions in the WRC class.

In Sweden, the driving range is really narrow. Slipping off the line almost inevitably leads to difficulties.

In addition to the conditions, the challenge of the competition is increased by the level of the drivers, according to Haapamäki. Drivers have to drive at risk limits.

– The toughest guys in the series are so tough that no one can loosen up, they have to shave their tongues right under the belt. Sometimes the limit is just crossed, Haapamäki explains the out-of-hours and driving mistakes.

Lapis became the 12th Finnish driver to win the Swedish Rally. The traditional competition showed its best when on Saturday and Sunday a little frost hit and the spirits sparkled in the sunshine.

Haapamäki praises both the rally’s general special stages and longer forest walks.

– The rally is definitely on the calendar. There must be one studded race, because the races must be different, the experienced rally man said.

The World Cup fight is completely open

Hyundai drivers have won both World Cup rallies of the season. However, Toyota driver Evans is only three points behind From Thierry Neuville Second in the World Series and the teams are tied in the manufacturers’ situation.

One of the winning favorites of the season is fifth in the World Championship points, while Tänak has failed in both rallies. According to Haapamä, none of the top drivers has so far risen above the others.

– Even today, the situation looks bad, but the situation can be completely different after five or six rallies, the expert illustrates the incompleteness of the season.

The World Cup point system, which was renewed for this season, has gathered a lot of criticism. In Sweden, however, it showed its good sides, when on Sunday we saw real racing and the teams were able to think about different tactics.

For example, Rovanperä, who only drives part of the season, captured five points for Toyota on the Power Stage and was second on Sunday’s sprint day, ahead of Neuville. This is how Evans benefited from the Finn’s contribution in the drivers’ World Cup battle.

– The point calculation system gives new opportunities, even if it is a bit challenging to follow, Haapamäki reflects.

At the same time, the reform also enables the top drivers driving the entire series to have a chance at a big 12-point pot on Sunday, even if the overall rally had been ruined earlier.

– The public will be entertained for the whole Sunday, when we drive from morning at full capacity, an experienced rally man reminds us of an important element.