When two simply
won't do

Andersson, from Sweden, won the Junior world title in 2004 with Suzuki and repeated the feat with the Japanese make three years later. He will start the season-closer in his factory PROTON Satria-Neo two points behind Craig Breen but firmly in contention to land a third FIA championship crown.

“We’re right in the middle of the championship,” said Andersson, who will also face opposition from Yazeed Al-Rajhi. “It’s going to be a big battle in Catalunya, that’s for sure - I can’t wait to get there.”

While three drivers will face off for the SWRC laurels, six are in the hunt for the Production Car World Rally Championship with Mexico’s Benito Guerra topping the order despite a troubled showing on the previous round in Italy when he retired on the opening night. Subhan Aksa, Nicolas Fuchs, Valeriy Gorban, Michal Kosciuszko and Marcos Ligato are also in title contention.

Although the top two positions in the main WRC have been settled, the coveted third spot in Spain is between Mads Ostberg, Jari-Matti Latvala and Petter Solberg.