The FIA World Rally Championship heads to Spain this weekend for the penultimate event of the 2021 season with just two drivers in contention to win this year’s title. Fortunately for Toyota Gazoo Racing’s World Rally Team, they are guaranteed to take home the title with defending champion Sebastien Ogier aiming to take home his fourth championship in five years and can do it this weekend in Spain if he outscores his teammate Elfyn Evans by seven points or more as he currently holds a 24 point lead in the championship.
Speaking ahead of the event this weekend Ogier commented saying:
Spain will be the first realistic chance to claim the title and I know what I need to do to make it happen. When I have the chance to win, I try to fight for it, and this will be the most simple way to achieve our goal,
Elfyn Evans will be hoping that he can carry some momentum forward from his win in Finland last time out to take the championship fight to a title showdown in Italy next month. Speaking ahead of the event in Spain he said:
The win on Rally Finland was a great result for us. The drivers’ title is still a long shot, but once more we’ll be giving our best in Spain and trying to get the best possible result there,
For the first time since 2009, the rally is pure asphalt. The roads are fast and flowing, but high-grip abrasive surfaces and plenty of hard braking will make it tough for Pirelli’s tyres.
After Thursday evening’s start ceremony in Salou, the action begins on Friday morning. Competitors face 17 stages covering 280.46km before Sunday afternoon’s finish in the holiday resort.