Just one point separates FIA Junior WRC Championship leader Tom Kristensson and Jan Solans ahead of what should prove a thrilling final round at Wales Rally GB this weekend.

Junior WRC fact file The prize: The champion will receive the keys to a new Ford Fiesta R5 Mk II, 200 tyres, free registration and five free entries for the 2020 WRC 2. Scoring: Seventy-two points are available thanks to double classification scores and 22 stage win points. A drivers’ four best results and all stage win points count towards the championship. Previous winners: Sébastien Loeb, Dani Sordo, Sébastien Ogier, Craig Breen, Elfyn Evans and Pontus Tidemand are all previous Junior WRC championship winners. Rookie award: This will also be decided, with the winner receiving €15,000 towards their 2020 Junior WRC campaign. Tyre options: Drivers will have 22 soft compound and 6 hard compound tyres available. They can use a maximum of 22, including shakedown.

Remarkably the top nine drivers in the standings have a mathematical chance of lifting the title at the four-day gravel road finale as double points are awarded to all finishers, but Kristensson and Solans are the men everyone has to chase.

Drivers drop their worst score in the final tally and that means Swede Kristensson, who won on home ground and in Finland, currently trails Spaniard Solans, who triumphed in Italy, by two points.

Solans is bidding to join joining brother Nil as a junior champion but admitted he is surprised to be in contention.

“Honestly, when the season started, I had a lot of things to learn because everything was new for me, so I didn’t expect to be fighting for the title as I did and I would like to finish the season in the best possible way,” he said.

Although Kristensson has not competed in Wales before, he is relishing the final round showdown. “It’s the rally I have been looking forward to the most and I can’t see any better way to end the season. The character and surface are something special that I really enjoy,” he said.

Third-placed Dennis Rådström is 34 points off the lead but that gap comes down to 21 when discounted scores are taken into account. The Swede comes to the rally full of confidence after a good test in Wales and a rally win in Slovenia last month.

“We have a big task ahead. We have one mission and we will give it our all. I’m looking forward to a fantastic experience and rally,” he said.

Ten juniors will tackle the 22 stages, all at the wheel of Ford Fiesta R2 cars.

All you need to know about the title contenders plus former champion Elfyn Evans gives his advice on our special Junior WRC podcast here.

Head to WRC+ to watch All Live from Wales Rally GB, including every stage broadcast live, breaking service park news and expert studio analysis.

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