Citroën aces tip Ford’s Finns for Sweden glory

Factory Citroen drivers Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier have tipped their counterparts at Ford to continue the team’s impressive record on Rally Sweden when the World Rally Championship season gets underway in ten days time.

Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala won Sweden’s last two WRC qualifiers in 2010 and 2008 respectively and will line up for the start of the Karlstad rally on 10 February among the firm favourites for victory in their all-new Ford Fiesta RS WRCs.

Ford, like Citroen, has accumulated thousands of kilometres during pre-event testing and both makes have completed extensive running on snow in Sweden, which will put them at an advantage over other potential frontrunners such as Henning and Petter Solberg and PG Andersson, who will begin the event with minimal knowledge of their new machines.

“For sure we will try to do our best there but it’s not my favourite rally and the Fords can be strong,” said seven-time champion Loeb, who won in Sweden in 2004. “I like to drive there when the conditions are good but it’s not the rally where I feel the best and I don’t think we will see all the potential of the [Citroen DS3 WRC] in Sweden.”

Ogier, who has tackled the snow contest just once in the past, added: “Apart from Loeb, both of Ford’s official drivers can be very fast there and also guys like PG Andersson with a good car will be very good. I don’t forget drivers like Mads Ostberg either who could adapt quickly to the new car.”

Hirvonen’s last victory at world level came in Sweden in February 2010. He’s naturally anxious to start 2011 with a strong result following a frustrating campaign last term when he languished in sixth in the final drivers’ standings.

“For sure we try to go there and start the season with a win,” said the 30-year-old from Finland. “We have a good team and a strong car so I think we can do it.”

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson commented: “You can imagine Sweden is very important to us with two Scandinavian drivers. They’ve both got a good record there and have done intense testing in those conditions.”