Ogier opts for lucky number 17

Volkswagen driver Sebastien Ogier has elected to start tomorrow’s opening day of Rally Sweden from 17th in the running order.

Ogier’s fastest time at this morning’s Qualifying Stage afforded him the chance to select his place on the road for Friday’s action ahead of all the 17 priority seeded drivers.

The draw was made in Karlstad, shortly before crews tackled the rally opening Super Special stage. Clearly expecting conditions on the road to improve as the cars progress through the stages, the Polo R WRC driver selected a position as far down the order as possible.

“I think the best tactic is to start a long way back - and in any case 17 is my favourite number!” said Ogier.

Next up, Ford driver Mads Ostberg slotted in one place ahead in 16th, with Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen choosing 15th.

Finnish MINI driver Jarkko Nikara will lead the field away on this second round of the FIA World Rally Championship when the action re-starts tomorrow morning.

The running order for the seeded drivers is:

1. Nikara
2. Kosciuszko
3. Wilson
4. Al Qassimi
5. H. Solberg
6. Ketomaa
7. Prokop
8. Sordo
9. Novikov
10. Loeb
11. Neuville
12. Latvala
13. Hanninen
14. Tidemand
15. Hirvonen
16. Ostberg
17. Ogier