Björn Waldegård

Waldegård won rallies in every type of condition — snow, gravel, tarmac, and endurance — showcasing an unrivaled level of technical range. He stood on the podium more than 30 times throughout his career, making him one of the sport’s true all-rounders.

• Porsche 911: Early wins in the Monte Carlo Rally showed his comfort with rear-engined dynamics.
• Ford Escort RS1600: A key part of Ford’s rallying success in the '70s, with Waldegård often leading the charge.
• Lancia Stratos HF: Competed in the iconic mid-engine car with great results on tighter tarmac stages.
• Toyota Celica: Later part of his career saw continued success with Toyota, particularly in African rallies.

Waldegård’s deep understanding of how to extract maximum pace while preserving the car made him a favorite for long, grueling rallies. His ability to adjust his driving style to suit a manufacturer’s vision made him invaluable to every team he worked with.

Calm under pressure and brutally efficient, Waldegård was respected for his calculated driving and endurance-focused mindset. He rarely made mistakes, even in high-risk conditions. His pioneering approach to event strategy — prioritizing car health and pacing over stage wins — influenced many WRC strategies that followed. He’s remembered as one of the cleanest and most intelligent drivers in rally history.

Waldegård had several long-term co-driver partnerships, including with Hans Thorszelius and Claes Billstam. Their consistency and shared understanding of pace notes were key to winning endurance rallies across continents. His trust in his co-drivers and mechanical teams reflected his team-first attitude, helping him thrive in factory setups and under intense pressure.