We are at the midway point of the 2021 WRC season, and while things are taking on a very familiar look at the moment, a lot can happen over the course of 6 races. In short, the drivers sitting at or near the top of the standings should not be getting too comfortable just yet. This weekend, we will see the focus shift to Estonia for the next race on the schedule, with current leader Sebastien Ogier looking to increase his lead at the top, or at least keep the challengers at arm’s length. While there is still time for the chasing pack to close the gap, it is going to be tough with just 5 races left after this one. If someone is going to make a serious run, they really need to get started at the WRC Rally Estonia. With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at the current top 4 drivers so you can get ready to bet and cash in against their WRC odds.
2021 Rally Estonia Analysis | WRC Betting
Sebastien Ogier
This is a spot that Ogier is very familiar with, as he has won the World Championship in 7 of the last 8 years. He did have to come from behind in the first half of the season to take the lead, but you have to say that he looks like a driver that is coming into form, and who may prove to be unstoppable as the season progresses. Ogier has won 4 of the 6 races this season, with the Arctic Rally in Finland, where he finished 20th, being the only time he has not been on the podium. He comes into this race looking to make it 3 wins on the trot, which would help increase an already healthy 34-point lead. He did not get the win in Estonia last season, finishing 3rd in that race.
Elfyn Evans
The Welshman has spent some time at the top of the driver standings this season, but a really poor run in Kenya last time out has him falling off the pace. He finished 10 in the Kenya race and only managed to pick up 4 points, 23 fewer than Ogier, in the process. That result will certainly have stung, but he has not time to think about it, as he needs to get back on the horse this weekend in Estonia. He did, though, finish off the podium in Estonia last season, coming in 4th in that race. He needs to regularly pick up more points than Ogier the rest of the way to get back in this thing.
Thierry Neuville
At this point, you have to suggest that someone outside of the top 2 drivers winning the championship looks very unlikely. Neuville may well have seen his chance go up in smoke in Kenya in the last rally when he was forced to retire from the race. You simply cannot afford not to pick up any points at this stage of the season. He now has 77 points on the season, leaving him 56 points back of the leader. Last season in Estonia, he was forced to retire.
Ott Tanak
The only driver outside of Ogier to win a world championship in the last 8 years is Tanak, but he will not be doing that again this season. Being forced to retire in the opening race of the year put Tanak behind the 8-ball in a big way, and while he has been decent since, winning 1 and landing another podium finish, another couple of bad races have hurt him. He won in Estonia last season, so he may be worth a look.
