Tanak wins in Sweden to lead championship

STOCKHOLM, Feb 17, (RTRS): Estonian Ott Tanak won Rally Sweden for Toyota on Sunday to take the lead in the world rally championship for the first time in his career.

Finland’s Esapekka Lappi was second for Citroen, 53.7 seconds behind, with Belgian Thierry Neuville third for Hyundai and a further three seconds adrift in the second round of the season on icy and snowcovered roads.

Citroen’s Sebastian Ogier, the six-times world champion who had led after winning last month’s Monte Carlo Opener, lost any hope of a top 10 finish after crashing into a snow bank on Friday and retiring.

The Frenchman returned to salvage two points in the final power stage won by Tanak, who gained an extra five. Neuville took four and Lappi one.

Ott Tanak and co driver Martin Jarveoja of Estonia celebrate with crew after winning the Rally Sweden, during the FIA World Rally Championship 2019,

in Sweden, on Feb 17. (AP)