The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round eight Tet Rally Latvia. Here are some predictions for the Rally1 class.
Tänak Wins
Rally Latvia is set up to be an epic three-way battle between Kalle Rovanperä, Sebastien Ogier and Ott Tänak. All three drivers are blisteringly quick when it comes down to it. Personally, I have Tänak taking home the win. Why? Simply put Tänak is probably going to be a man on a mission this weekend. As his Rally Poland ended way early due to a deer. Then a roll in the ERC running of his home event Rally Estonia the week after. Tänak is already somebody who wants to win at every event. Add that to him falling out of the running for the championship and the previously mentioned incident and it’s a storm waiting to happen.
Sesks Finishes Top 5
This may be a bit far-fetched. However, out of all the rally1 drivers, Sesks has the most experience on these roads. As it’s his home event. Sure he still has a lack of time in the car, especially with the hybrid unit. However, after his showing in Poland, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected out of Sesks. It won’t be an easy feat for the Latvian to pull off, as he’ll have to fend off one or more of Kalle Rovanperä, Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Ott Tänak, Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi and Adrien Fourmuax.
Neuville Falls Out Of The Championship Lead
Thierry Neuville has led the championship since the start of the season. After a win at the opening round in Monte-Carlo. However, Neuville sits in a position where he could lose the championship lead this weekend. As Elfyn Evans sits just 15 points behind the Belgian. Sure that sounds like a lot. But all it takes is for Neuville to have an issue at any point in the weekend and those points will bleed away. Of course, you never hope to see a driver run into issues. However, it’s a part of rallying that can happen to anybody.
Evans Shows Up
Elfyn Evans hasn’t had the greatest first half of the season. As the Welshman is without a win to this point and arguably wouldn’t be the number one championship contender for Toyota if Ogier didn’t miss out on Rally Poland. Evans has to hope Rally Latvia goes way better than any other event this season. As he desperately needs the points if he wants to remain a threat for the championship heading into the back half of the season. He can’t rely on another lucky Rally Finland to kick-start his season.