With four consecutive podium finishes, Elfyn Evans is riding high as the World Rally Championship’s most in-form driver. But as the WRC shifts to the snow and ice of Rally Sweden, the question looms—can he maintain his momentum, or will the frozen roads favor a more seasoned winter warrior?
Enter Ott Tänak—the undisputed king of Sweden’s treacherous rally stages. The Estonian stands alone as the only driver on the start list with multiple Rally Sweden victories, and his 2021 triumph in the Arctic Circle only reinforces his mastery of these conditions. If there’s ever a round where Tänak becomes the outright favorite, this is it.
A Wildcard in Rovanperä?
Normally, Kalle Rovanperä would be penciled in as a surefire contender for Rally Sweden’s top step. But after an underwhelming Monte Carlo performance, has his status as a pre-race favorite taken a hit? The Finn has raw speed and plenty of experience on snow, but he’ll need to shake off his Monte struggles to reassert himself in the title fight.
And what about Thierry Neuville? The Belgian is on a resurgence of his own, determined to prove he’s still a championship contender. Sweden’s unpredictable conditions and road order challenges could create a perfect storm for Neuville to upset the status quo.
Unpredictability Reigns in Sweden
Beyond the star-studded lineup, Rally Sweden’s biggest wildcard is the rally itself. Snow-covered roads bring constantly evolving grip levels, unpredictable weather, and the ever-present debate over the optimal road position. With so many variables at play, predicting a winner is a gamble—and that’s what makes this rally unmissable.
As Colin Clark, Alasdair Lindsay, and Luke Barry dive into the biggest talking points ahead of WRC’s second round, one thing is certain—Rally Sweden 2025 is shaping up to be a showdown for the ages.
