There was something slightly incongruous about seeing seven-time world champion Sébastien Ogier deep in conversation with Father Christmas in late February. The WRC’s first visit to Arctic Rally Finland Powered by CapitalBox was a towering success last weekend. Not only did it provide a typically fast and fascinating Finnish round of the championship, but it provided a hugely entertaining event. But once the second round of the WRC was underway, all the frivolities were forgotten. “What’s not to love with this event?” he questioned. Ott Tänak had a battle plan to catch his rivals cold in the opening forays of last weekend’s Arctic Rally Finland Powered by …

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