WRC: M-Sport Ford World Rally Team is back on the top

Back on top: The M-sports Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid Team

The past weekend, the traditional WRC 2023 in Sweden took place again. The Estonian Ott Tänak and his co-pilot Martin Järveoja had a magnificent pace throughout the entire race.

M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid (#8) with Reiger Suspension Rallye dampers at the WRC in Sweden 2023
No mistakes were made in the cockpit of the M-sport Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid with Reiger dampers and the pilots Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja inside

In their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid (#8), both Estonians were pacing over the snow-covered and ice-slick special stages in the middle of the Northern Sweden woods.

We also equip the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid with Reiger dampers
Since 1950, the Rallye of Sweden has taken place at different locations throughout the country

From Thursday to Sunday, the competitors were driving for the Rallye sports crown on a total of 18 special stages and a distance of more than 300 kilometers around northern Sweden’s largest city Umeå. The Rallye takes place in Northern Europe since the 50s.

The M-sport Puma Rally1 Hybrid (#8) with Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja in the cockpit won the WRC of Sweden in 2023
Even in the dark, the Estonians drove with confidence in their Ford

In Monte Carlo, Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja had to admit defeat to the drivers of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid and the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid. The Monte Carlo winner Sébastian Ogier and Vincent Landais (#17, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid), however, didn’t take part in the Rallye of Sweden this time.

Kalle Rovanperä and his co-pilot Jonne Halttunen were always in the top-5
The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid cars made it to the top-5 in the 18 special stages

The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid didn’t have a good run in Sweden. Even when two Toyota were always in the top-5, the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally (#8) with Ott Tänak was always faster.

Already on Friday, Takamoto Katsuta and his co-pilot Aaron Johnston had an accident after a spectacular rollover. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and they were able to take on the race in their damaged Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid (#18). Nevertheless, the car failed on the last special stage due to a mechanical problem.

No lack of snow in Sweden: In the background, the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 with Reiger dampers
The Toyota teams weren’t able to dominate in Sweden

The only bright spot for the Japanese automotive manufacturer: The performance of defending champion Kalle Rovanperä with its co-pilot Jonne Halttunen and his team colleagues Elfyn Evans with its navigator Scott Martin which all made it to the top-5 positions.

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In the end, Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja were unbeatable after a total of eight special stage wins and ten secondary placements. From special stage 14, the M-sports Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid (#8) drove constantly as the first with a lead of 18.7 seconds.

Ott Tänak took over the top of the league in the driver ranking thanks to his error-free performance
Ott Tänak is the first in the driver ranking with a total of 41 points

After the success in Sweden, Ott Tänak also took over the top spot in the world championship standings. At the moment, the Estonian has 41 points. Kalle Rovanperä is now in the second position with 38 points in the driver ranking of the WRC.

Our brand Reiger Suspension equips all Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid, Ford Rally2, Citroën Rally2, Ford Rally3, and Ford Rally4 in the WRC 2023.

Photos: Red Bull Content Pool (Jaanus Ree), M-Sport Ford, Toyota, WRC

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