M-SPORT FORD WORLD RALLY TEAM
CAR: FORD FIESTA WRC TEAM PRINCIPAL: MALCOLM WILSON
SEBASTIEN OGIER
Nationality: French Age: 34 Co-driver: Julien Ingrassia (FRA) WRC rounds started: 133 WRC wins: 43 WRGB starts: 10 WRGB best result: 1st (2013/14/15/16) Chasing the record-breaking fifth win that eluded him last year in Wales (sealing a fifth title in Llandudno went some way to making up for the disappointment 11 months ago). Took a while to come to terms with what’s needed to make the best out of these stages, but has absolutely found the answer now. Starts as favourite, especially if the rain comes and the advantage lies with those at the front of the field.
ELFYN EVANS
Nationality: British Age: 29 Co-driver: Dan Barritt (GBR) WRC rounds started: 73 WRC wins: 1 WRGB starts: 6 WRGB best result: 1st (2017) Doesn’t have any more experience of his local roads than his main rivals, but last year’s magical Welsh win demonstrated what competing at home can do: Evans was filled with confidence on this event last time out and had an answer to every question he was asked. He can trade on that again this week, but he also starts safe in the knowledge he has the speed, the car and the team to take back-to-back wins at home.
TEEMU SUNINEN
Nationality: Finnish Age: 24 Co-driver: Mikko Markkula (FIN) WRC rounds started: 37 WRC wins: 0 WRGB starts: 3 WRGB best result: 11th (2015) Short on sharp-end experience of this rally, M-sport’s young Finn should consider a podium a solid result in Wales. That said, we’ve seen enough of Suninen to know that when he gets the car hooked up, the notes are working and he feels comfortable on the road, he’s well capable of some sensational times. Born and bred in Finland, he’ll undoubtedly be happier when the Fiesta’s singing in the top half of the gearbox.