WRC Gallery - Rally Sweden
The Swedish winter delivered a spectacular frozen landscape for the championship's second round - and a snowy backdrop that is unique in the WRC season.
Snowy forests, night stages and soaring jumps gave our WRC photography team the inspiration for some breathtaking shots. Here's a selection of our favourites from Jaanus Ree and Andre Lavadinho.
Above: Rally Sweden spectators are a hardy bunch, able to shrug off sub-zero conditions with specialist kit like bobble hat, camp fire and sausage-on-a-stick. Having just missed Ott Tänak however, you have to wonder whether if these guys might have their priorities wrong.
Below: Craig Breen's fifth places at Rallye Monte-Carlo and Rally Sweden are Citroën's highlights so far this year. Here he is on his first competitive outing in the C3 World Rally Car.
Below: Number one in our list of 'winter wonderland' shots, here's Sébastien Ogier at full chat through a scene that could have come straight from a Christmas card.
Below: For drivers who find going flat-out on snow just a bit tame, Colin's Crest offers the chance to up the stakes by mixing in a long jump competition. Does furthest equal fastest? Probably not, but a massive jump here says a lot about bravery - and sends the crowds of spectators wild. Respect to this year's winner, Mads Østberg.
Below: As a three-time winner in Sweden, we knew that Jari-Matti Latvala had the skills to win, but few believed newcomers Toyota would have the goods on only their second round. What will the combination be capable of in Mexico?
Rally Sweden gallery
