Launching into Sunday’s WRC points battle, Rovanperä set blistering pace on the morning’s opening stage, clocking in a staggering 6.3 seconds faster than his teammate Elfyn Evans, who was the second fastest on the 25.5-kilometre Västervik special stage.
“Better grip than I expected, so it was actually quite enjoyable. On the narrow parts are a bit tricky. I think it can get faster for the guys behind,” summarised Rovanperä.
Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi continues to lead the event, although he lost over half a minute to the stage’s best time and 29.8 seconds to Evans. Nevertheless, Lappi’s lead remains around a minute, keeping him comfortably ahead for the time being.
“Weather conditions are really enjoyable, I have to say. The grip was really good. Crazy slow…it’s worth it,” Lappi remarked.
Evans, with his strong performance, overtook M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux for second place. Fourmaux, who has yet to stand on a WRC podium, is also playing it safe.
“All OK. For sure the grip is high. I could have done a bit better in places but you have to judge how much to overdrive you notes, it’s not easy to find the answer to that,” stated Evans.
“For us now it’s just to consolidate the podium. We took the points for second position yesterday. I didn’t take any risk. It’s OK.”
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville is currently fourth in the event. Oliver Solberg, leading the WRC2 category, is fifth overall. Toyota drivers Sami Pajari and Georg Linnamäe are battling for second place in the WRC2 category. Pajari is four seconds ahead of the Estonian before of the final two special stages.
Only two more special stages remain in Rally Sweden on Sunday. The 25.5-kilometre Västervik stage will be run again before the rally concludes with the Umeå Power Stage.
Standings after SS16/18 of Rally Sweden:
1. Esapekka Lappi Hyundai 2:15:47.4 2. Elfyn Evans Toyota +53.2 3. Adrien Fourmaux Ford +58.2 4. Thierry Neuville Hyundai +2.05.7 5. Oliver Solberg Skoda +4.19.1 6. Sami Pajari Toyota +5.37.1 7. Georg Linnamäe Toyota +5.41.1 8. Roope Korhonen Toyota +5.57.0 9. Mikko Heikkilä Toyota +6:37.8 10. Bertelli Lorenzo Toyota +7:07.0
Itinerary (CET):
Thursday, February 15th 09:01 Shakedown: Håkmark (5.42 km) 19:05 SS1: Umeå Sprint 1 (5.16 km) Friday, February 16th 08:58 SS2: #42 Brattby 1 (10.76 km) 09:52 SS3: Norrby 1 (12.36 km) 10:55 SS4: Floda 1 (28.25 km) 13:28 Service (30 min) 14:36 SS5: #42 Brattby 2 (10.76 km) 15:30 SS6: Norrby 2 (12.36 km) 16:33 SS7: Floda 2 (28.25 km) 19:05 SS8: Umeå Sprint 2 (5.16 km) Saturday, February 17th 07:45 SS9: Vännäs 1 (15.65 km) 08:35 SS10: Sarsjöliden 1 (14.23 km) 10:08 SS11: Bygdsiljum 1 (28.06 km) 13:00 Service (30 min) 14:15 SS12: Vännäs 2 (15.65 km) 15:05 SS13: Sarsjöliden 2 (14.23 km) 16:38 SS14: Bygdsiljum 2 (28.06 km) 19:05 SS15: Umeå 1 (10.08 km) Sunday, February 18th 07:27 SS16: Västervik 1 (25.50 km) 09:06 Service (15 min) 10:03 SS17: Västervik 2 (25.50 km) 12:15 SS18: Umeå 2 (10.08 km) *Power Stage
