Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford) was quickest in the new qualifying session in the WRC history before Rally Sweden.
In order to avoid that the top-ranked drivers in the championship "clean" thew roads, as it was often the case for Sébastien Loeb last season, the shakedown has turned this year into a qualifying session, after which the fastest drivers can choose, in order of ranking of the session, their starting position during the first day.
This system was inaugurated in Sweden on Thursday. After three qualifying heats, Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford) was fastest ahead of former teammate, Citroën driver Mikko Hirvonen, and the young Ott Tanak, who replaces injured Matthew Wilson in a Ford Fiesta WRC.
Sébastien Loeb (Citroen) set the sixth best time.
The drivers now can choose their position on the road for Friday, their decision will have to be announced this afternoon. No doubt that the fastest drivers will prefer not to open the road on the first day, and will let the other ones start in front.
In order to avoid that the top-ranked drivers in the championship "clean" thew roads, as it was often the case for Sébastien Loeb last season, the shakedown has turned this year into a qualifying session, after which the fastest drivers can choose, in order of ranking of the session, their starting position during the first day.
This system was inaugurated in Sweden on Thursday. After three qualifying heats, Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford) was fastest ahead of former teammate, Citroën driver Mikko Hirvonen, and the young Ott Tanak, who replaces injured Matthew Wilson in a Ford Fiesta WRC.
Sébastien Loeb (Citroen) set the sixth best time.
The drivers now can choose their position on the road for Friday, their decision will have to be announced this afternoon. No doubt that the fastest drivers will prefer not to open the road on the first day, and will let the other ones start in front.