World Rally Championship returns on Thursday

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Toyota WRT driver Kalle Rovanpera of Finland celebrates last year's title. Pic: John Cowpland/AFP via Getty Images

Some ninety minutes after the glitz and glamour around the Casino Square in Monaco, the World Rally Championship roars into action this Thursday night with two stages in the famous Col de Turini where the aspirations of the title contenders will be unleashed over forty kilometres of tarmac.

All the teams feature changes to their line-ups and while Toyota Gazoo Racing retain the services of world champion Finland’s Kalle Rovanpera and Hyundai will again be led Belgian Thierry Neuville, M-Sport Ford hails the return of Ott Tanak. The Estonian replaces Waterford driver Craig Breen, who returns to Hyundai where he will share the third car with Spaniard Dani Sordo but has to wait until next month’s Rally Sweden for his season debut.