It’s changes all round

John Floyd

On the eve of this weekend’s Rally de España, it is musical chairs for 2019 with various driver changes announced in the last few days.

Five-time world champion Sebastien Ogier leaves M-Sport Ford WRT and returns to the Citroen stable after six years. The Frenchman will be joined by Finn Esapekka Lappi who leaves the Toyota Gazoo WRT.

Having been dropped by Citroen following his crash in the Portuguese rally earlier this year, Kris Meeke makes a comeback with Toyota Gazoo WRT, replacing Lappi and teaming up with Ott Tanak and Jari-Matti Latvala for 2019.

The race will see 18 special stages covering 331km of the total 1 495km testing 73 competitors. Leading the manufacturers title chase on 317 points, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT will field Latvala (98 points and fifth overall), Lappi (104 points fourth overall) while Tanak on 168 points, lies third in the Drivers’ Championship.

Just 20 points in arrears in the manufacturers’ championship, the Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT will be pushing to take back the lead and ensure that Thierry Neuville stays at the head on 189 points. He will be backed by Andreas Mikkelsen (83 points sixth overall) and local star Dani Sordo (60 points seventh overall).

Ogier, currently second in the drivers’ title chase on 182 points, will be hoping for a repeat of the last rally to take the lead from Neuville.

The M-Sport Ford WRT is at present third on the manufacturers’ log on 273 points and faces a tough challenge.

Elfyn Evans (53 points and 11th) and Teemu Suninen (54, and ninth) will have to up their game to ensure that the team has a chance of taking the title.