Rally Sweden 2017

[itix]

I think he is right. The benchmarking starts at Mexico. The first 2 rallies of the year really do not match with the rest of the season; motor- and chassis wise they are not killing rallies. Although Toyota and Ford did some great great things, I'm very happy for them, but we have to wait.

F.i. I remember Hyundai last year Alain Penasse said after questioning the then new i20 "wait after Mexico..."

Well technically Mexico is not telling either because there is such a thick layer of sweeping gravel at the top and the event is run so high up that so theoretically any engine power advantage would be mostly gone.

Corsica is a twisty tarmac rally where we will see who has a good tarmac chassis but not much else, Argentina will again mean sweeping and possibly problems with splitters and water splashes... Etc etc.

The simple truth is that you have to be strong at everything as a team - car - driver combo to win the championship.

Only time will tell who that might be, but it is a lot closer this year.

Neuville has the speed and the road condition to win in Mexico for sure. Fun season to come!