Kilometre after kilometre of full throttle and huge jumps that seem to brush the trees lining the route: Volkswagen lines up at the FIA World Rally Championship’s own ‘Formula 1 in the Forest’ – the Rally Finland – full of confidence
From August 01st to 03rd, the three Polo R WRCs and the driver/co-driver pairings of Jari-MattiLatvala / Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN), Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) will be put through their paces on one of the most unique and demanding gravel rallies of the season.Despite this, Volkswagen is far from short of confidence going into the23 special stages, totalling 324.21 kilometres against the clock
The team starts as the leader in the Manufacturers’ Championship, Sébastien Ogier leads the Drivers’ Championship, and Julien Ingrassia tops the co-driver standings in the World Championship
“For many, the Rally Finland is the epitome of rallying and one of the World Championship’s icons,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “Top speeds of about 200 kilometres per hour, jumps at 170 km/h with roughly 60 metres of air time – it does not get any more spectacular than this, and up to 100,000 enthusiastic fans flock to the route to follow the action live every year
It is a point of honour that Volkswagen should not only put on a good, fair show for its fans. The PoloR WRC must also prove itself in these difficult conditions and with a high percentage of the route at full throttle.”
