Mads Østberg says Rally Sweden must take FIA president Jean Todt’s warnings about its future seriously in the wake of 2020’s largely snow-free event.
Sweden organizers fought valiantly to ensure their event could go ahead at all last week amid warm temperatures that left most of the route without the snow and ice required for the mandatory studded tires. A truncated nine-stage itinerary was ultimately run.
Todt attended the event and made clear that the World Rally Championship had to feature a snow rally and a repeat of this year’s situation would be unacceptable.
Østberg emphasized his support for and appreciation of the Rally Sweden organizing team, but said they had to consider a change of location now.
“I mean this year, it wouldn’t matter where we were,” Østberg told DirtFish’s Colin Clark.
“All around the world it’s a lack of snow so if we want a snow event we have to stick with what we know and Sweden knows how to make a snow event.
“But they probably have to consider where they find their stages and if it was up to me, without considering any connections with Varmland and these kind of things, I would definitely move north and find infrastructure and stages up there.
“I know it’s possible and I think probably this is a warning for the organizers that they have to do something.
“But I want to say as well that I really support the organizers; they are doing an amazing job and to pull out this event, nobody else would be able to do that so that was really impressive and I hope for the future that they can look at some new options.”
Norwegian Østberg was the leading local driver on the rally – which takes place partially in Norway – this year, finishing 12th overall, third among the R5 cars and winning WRC2.
He has taken five podium finishes on the event in the past, peaking with second overall for Stobart Ford in 2011.
Though Østberg admitted the task facing the organizers is daunting, he thinks they cannot afford to not take action after what happened in 2020.
“I know it won’t be easy for them because they have to build something from scratch somewhere else but I think if they want to continue to stay in the WRC the time is now,” he added.
