Al-Attiyah vs Ketomaa for WRC 2 title

Nasser Al-Attiyah and Jari Ketomaa will go head-to-head for the WRC 2 title at Wales Rally GB (13 - 16 November) with each likely to display contrasting approaches to the season’s final round.

After four wins in a Ford Fiesta RRC, Al-Attiyah holds a 20-point advantage over Ketomaa, who has taken five second places in a Fiesta R5. It means Al-Attiyah will be champion unless Ketomaa wins and the Qatari fails to score.

Expect caution from Al-Attiyah and maximum attack from the Finn, for whom victory would provide a memorable way for tyre firm DMACK to celebrate its 50th WRC event.

“I like the stages in North Wales – they are more technical and great driving stages,” said Ketomaa. “We have a small chance of the championship but my complete focus is on my performance. I know we have the pace to challenge in WRC 2 so hopefully things will go our way with no problems or technical issues.”

Although out of the title running, long-time WRC 2 leader Lorenzo Bertelli (Fiesta R5) and Karl Kruuda (Fiesta S2000), winner of two rounds, have plenty to fight for. Both can clinch second in the championship, depending on the outcome of the battle for top honours.

“We’ve already won one championship this year, so two would be greedy! But I think there’s room for another win this year – it would be the perfect way to end the season,” said Kruuda, who became the first non-Finn to win the Finnish title earlier in the season.

Former WRC regular Matthew Wilson could spring a surprise on his first proper championship appearance for two years in a Fiesta RRC, while Portugal’s Bernardo Sousa will be eager to end the year on a high in a similar car.

JWRC champion Stéphane Lefebvre will hope to put his disappointing WRC 2 debut in Spain behind him in a Citroen DS3 R5, while Britons David Bogie and Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy runner-up Tom Cave could feature strongly on home ground.