[WRC] Neste Rally Finland 1st-4th August 2019

[AnttiL]

Doubt it matters Ott starting 1st, I'd be surprised if he doesn't win the event regardless. Although the cleaning can/will make a difference, it's not as bad as certain other events and we've seen Ott cope remarkably well with the cleaning effects this year anyway.

Only way I can see him even challenged is if Jari comes with a good mentality, makes no mistakes and has a brilliant Friday. Or maybe Suninen as an outside bet.
I would've put Meeke in that mix as well, but him not being there last year (when the route changed massively from previous years) will probably harm his chances.

I could see Tänak being in the top 5 after cleaning the road on Friday, then having a better road position for Saturday and winning all the stages, like in Sardegna. I see Latvala as Tänak's biggest challenger, with a great road position on Friday. Will Mäkinen issue team orders?

Also one interesting thing about Latvala: now he starts so late that he will hear Ott's end of the stage comments and hear the times before starting the stages himself. It will be important for him mentally.