Prokop returns to WRC in Mexico
Al-Attiyah heads WRC 2 entries
The WRC gallery: Rally Sweden
A lack of snow gave us some anxious days before Rally Sweden, but all that was forgotten when it arrived, in the nick of time, transforming the Värmland landscape into a winter wonderland.
Here is a selection of some of our favourite photographs from Sweden, courtesy of wrc.com snappers Jaanus Ree and @World’s Andre Lavadinho.
1) The French master of snow
Sébastien Ogier [above and below] led from start to finish to secure his third Rally Sweden victory.
2) Ogier in reflection
You can see in the spot-lamp who Hyundai's Hayden Paddon was chasing for much of the rally
3) Mikkelsen chills
Setting the standard in wheel-change cool, Andreas Mikkelsen takes a break after a pre-stage tyre swap. From this angle it appears that co-driver Anders Jæger is doing most of the dirty work.
4) Colin's crest
Forty-eight hours earlier, the scene at an almost snow-free Colin's Crest looked very different. Add in a good layer of fresh snow, crowds of spectators and some flying world rally cars and bingo - you have one of the championship's must-visit locations!
5) Handle with care
Unlike most tyres, you should put on some gloves before handling these Rally Sweden specials. Each one contains 384 metal studs set into the tread blocks, with the tips protruding by 6.5 millimetres. Tyres as art? This is a close as they get.
