Mikko Hirvonen has taken his first win for a year in the opening round of the 2011 season.
The Finn endured a terrible 2010 season, finishing a distant 6th in the championship, but got his 2011 started in the best way possible.
Mads Ostberg finished on the podium for the first time in his career after an astonishing drive, staying with Hirvonen on the final day.
The Power Stage - which gives 3 points to the fastest driver - was won by Sebastien Ogier, but bizarre circumstances struck Petter Solberg.
The Norwegian privateer lost his license after a speeding offense and had to get his co-driver Chris Patterson to drive the stage for him. This lost him 4th to Ogier, but he still finished ahead of reigning champion Sebastien Loeb, who had a dismal event.
The 7 times champion suffered from his road position on Friday, dropping 2 and a half minutes, before suffering two punctures.
2007 F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen showed improved pace in the Citroen DS3 to finish 8th.
2011 Rally Sweden (Round 1)
1. Mikko Hirvonen (Ford) 3:23:56.6
2. Mads Ostberg (Ford) + 6.5
3. Jari Matti Latvala (Ford) + 34.0
4. Sebastien Ogier (Citroen) + 47.7
5. Petter Solberg (Citroen) + 1:31.2
6. Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) + 2:30.3
7. Per Gunnar Andersson (Ford) + 6:22.0
8. Kimi Raikkonen (Citroen) + 7:02.3
9. Matthew Wilson (Ford) + 10:11.5
10. Khalid Al-Qassimi (Ford) + 10:31.1
Championship Standings:
1. Hirvonen - 25
2. Ostberg - 18
3. Latvala - 16
4. Ogier - 15
5. P. Solberg - 10
6. Loeb - 10
7. Andersson - 6
8. Raikkonen - 4
9. Wilson - 2
10. Al Qassimi - 1
