WHAT TO EXPECT FROM WALES RALLY GB

Volkswagen’s shock withdrawal ahead of this season was a blow to the World Rally Championship – but it has also made things far more competitive.

Well, sort of. Triple champion Sébastien Ogier, driving for the privateer M-sport Ford Fiesta WRC team, has a big points lead thanks to two wins and a string of consistent finishes, and can clinch the title at the Wales Rally GB this week.

Despite his lead, it’s been an open season, with six winners from 11 rounds. Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville (pictured) has been arguably the fastest driver, but his three wins have been accompanied by crashes and problems in his i20 WRC.

Two definitely worth watching will be the UK drivers. Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke triumphed on the last round in Spain after a difficult spell in his Citroën C3 WRC, while Welshman Elfyn Evans (M-sport Ford) came agonisingly close to his first win in Argentina and could star on his local stages.