Sweden: A qualified success

History was made on Rally Sweden this morning. Shakedown is gone, replaced by free practice, while qualifying has been introduced to decide the running order for the first day of action. There are no times taken for free practice; instead everything hinges on the qualifying session.

The qualifying stage - undoubtedly the coldest qualifying in the history of motorsport - was held close to the service park in Hagfors Airport, in temperatures of minus 14 degrees centigrade.

"It’s definitely a piece of history," agreed Mikko Hirvonen’s co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen, the duo winners of Rally Sweden for the last two years. "With not so much snow and ice on the stages this year, the running order is going to be even more important than usual as the further down the field you are, the worse condition the roads are likely to be in."

Also making a first appearance was Nasser Al Attiyah, at the wheel of a Citroen DS3 WRC in the colours of the newly-formed Qatar World Rally Team. "To get the chance to drive this car with your own team is fantastic," said the former Production Car World Rally champion.

Another new face was Yazeed Al-Rahji from Saudi Arabia, embarking on his debut Super 2000 World Rally Championship campaign this year with a Ford Fiesta. Al-Rhaji is backed by former Ford works driver Simon-Jean Joseph, who is hoping to pass on his experience.

"Sweden is almost certainly the most difficult place for him to start, as he has never driven on snow before," said Jean-Joseph. "But I think he definitely has the potential to be fast in the future."

Full qualifying stage report to follow.