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High stakes for the juniors in Finland

- The Frenchman Quentin Gilbert, the Italian Simone Tempestini and the Finn Henri Haapamäki take top billing among the under-28 year-old drivers competing in their DS 3 R3-MAXs.

- The winner of the FIA Junior WRC will earn a WRC2 programme next season in a DS 3 R5.

Although the same number of points are available in each round, perhaps certain rallies count a bit more than others. Rally Finland, an unmissable event on the World Rally Championship calendar, undoubtedly falls into that category.

The FIA Junior WRC has now become an iconic category and has done a fantastic job of identifying talented young drivers since it was first introduced in 2001. Citroën Racing has helped drivers to learn the ropes on the roads of the WRC in the Junior championship. Sébastien Loeb (2001), Dani Solà (2002), Dani Sordo (2005), Sébastien Ogier (2008), Martin Prokop (2009) and Stéphane Lefebvre (2014) have all won titles in this championship, dedicated to young rally drivers. Beyond the actual results, the manner in which young drivers handle themselves - especially in Finland - also counts in the development of a driver's career. Kris Meeke, who racked up almost 100 stage wins in JWRC, is a very good example of this.

Around Jyväskylä, there will be several drivers looking to make a name for themselves. Already top of the standings, Quentin Gilbert (winner in Monte-Carlo and Portugal) and Simone Tempestini (first in Poland) will be fighting for the championship lead as the season enters the final sprint.

After confirming his talent at the start of the season, the young Frenchman was off the pace in the third round, whilst the Italian Simone Tempestini revelled on the fast gravel roads in Poland. After finishing on the podium in Mikołajki, the Finn Henri Haapamäki will undoubtedly also be a force to be reckoned with at his home event.

Another title challenger, the Norwegian Ole Christian Veiby missed the Polish round. However, the points scored at Monte-Carlo and Portugal keep him in contention in the race for the programme in a DS 3 R5. He also leads the FIA WRC3 standings.

Outside of the podium places in Poland, the French trio of Matthieu Margaillan, Jean-René Perry and Pierre-Louis Loubet will all be looking for a good result here. Another Frenchman, Terry Folb, and the Irishman Daniel McKenna, who have both set impressive times this year, will also be serious outsiders.

Eighth in the championship standings, just 14 points adrift of third place, Federico Della Casa will be determined to keep improving. Mohammed Al Mutawaa, winner of a driver detection programme organised by Citroën Racing and Abu Dhabi Racing, scored his first points in Poland. He will be looking to take advantage of his recently acquired experience.

The second Finn to be competing here, Jari Huttunen will be making his FIA Junior WRC debut with the DS 3 R3-MAX. Named "Future Rally Star" by his national federation, he has been driving a C2-R2 MAX in the Finnish Rally Championship this season.

Rally Finland features twenty stages this year, including two runs on the legendary 34.39 kilometre-long Ouninpohja!

QUOTE, UNQUOTE

Henri Haapamäki: "Like last year, the goal is to win our category. We won't be happy with any less. I was a bit disappointed with my result in Poland, although the feeling in the car was good. We are hoping to make the most of two days of testing in order to be perfectly prepared before recce. Some stages are the same as last year, so I should be able to find my bearings. The results have been pretty good since the start of the season, but I would have preferred to be quicker. A win here in Finland would be perfect for the championship."

Federico Della Casa: "Rally Finland is one of the greatest events I have taken part in. The atmosphere is extraordinary and I love the scenery with the lakes and forests. The stages here are some of the most interesting. I like the speed and the jumps. I also like the atmosphere of the FIA Junior WRC. It is very friendly between the drivers, even during the competition. I really enjoy driving the DS 3 R3-MAX, there is a huge potential to be harnessed. Gradually, my times are improving and I feel comfortable in the car. In Finland, my aim will be make it to the finish. I haven‘t reached the end of the rally for the last two years!"

THE TWELVE CREWS ENTERED

52 - Simone Tempestini (ITA) / Matteo Chiarcossi (ROU)
Date of birth: 12 August 1994
Team: Napoca Rally Team / Keane Motorsport
2015 results: Monte-Carlo, 4th - Portugal, 6th - Poland, 1st.

53 - Ole Christian Veiby (NOR) / Anders Jaeger (NOR)
Date of birth: 17 June 1996
Team: Printsport
2015 results: Monte-Carlo, 3rd - Portugal, 5th.

54 - Daniel McKenna (IRL) / Andrew Grennan (IRL)
Date of birth: 03 April 1987
Team: RR Logistic
2015 results: Monte-Carlo, retired - Portugal, 8th.

55 - Mohammed Al Mutawaa (ARE) / Stephen McAuley (GBR)
Date of birth: 02 December 1992
Team: Abu Dhabi Racing
2015 results: Portugal, retired - Portugal, 6th.

58 - Terry Folb (FRA) / Franck Le Floch (FRA)
Date of birth: 26 May 1990
Team: Daumas Racing / Allsports Management
2015 results: Monte-Carlo, retired - Portugal, retired.

60 - Quentin Gilbert (FRA) / Renaud Jamoul (BEL)
Date of birth: 29 May 1989
Team: DG Sport
2015 results: Monte-Carlo, 1st - Portugal, 1st - Poland, 7th.

62 - Henri Haapamäki (FIN) / Marko Salminen (FIN)
Date of birth: 6 January 1989
Team: Hannu's Rally Team
2015 results: Portugal, 3rd - Poland, 3rd.

63 - Federico Della Casa (CHE) / Domenico Pozzi (ITA)
Date of birth: 11 July 1991
Team: Delta Rally
2015 results: Portugal, 7th - Poland, 5th.

65 - Pierre-Louis Loubet (FRA) / Victor Belloto (FRA)
Date of birth: 18 February 1997
Team: PH Sport
2015 results: Portugal, 2nd - Poland, missed.

66 - Jean-René Perry (FRA) / Joshua Reibel (FRA)
Date of birth: 25 December 1992
Team: MY Racing / Allsports Management
2015 results: Portugal, 4th - Poland, retired.

68 - Matthieu Margaillan (FRA) / Mathilde Margaillan (FRA)
Date of birth: 14 October 1986
Team: AFC Racing
2015 results: Portugal, retired - Portugal, 4th.

69 - Jari Huttunen (FIN) / Antti Linnaketo (FIN)
Date of birth: 28 February 1994
Team: Printsport
2015 results: first appearance.

FIA JUNIOR WRC STANDINGS

1. Quentin Gilbert 56 points
2. Simone Tempestini 45 points
3. Henri Haapamaki 30 points
4. Ole Christian Veiby 25 points
5. Christian Riedemann, Osian Pryce and Pierre-Louis Loubet 18 points
8. Federico Della Casa 16 points
9. Matthieu Margaillan and Jean-René Perry 12 points
11. Yohan Rossel 10 points
12. Alessandro Re, Kornel Lukacs and Mohammed Al Mutawaa 8 points
15. Charlotte Dalmasso 5 points
16. Daniel McKenna 4 points

NATIONS TROPHY

1. France 68 points
2. Italy 49 points
3. Finland 33 points
4. Norway 30 points
5. Switzerland 20 points
6. United Kingdom 18 points
7. Germany 18 points
8. Hungary 16 points
9. Ireland and United Arab Emirates 8 points

2015 CALENDAR

22-25 January - Rallye Monte-Carlo
21-24 May - Rally de Portugal
2-7 July - Rally Poland
30 July - 2 August - Rally Finland
1-4 October - Rallye de France
22-25 October - Rally de España
12-15 November - Wales GB Rally