Pajari claims home Rally Finland victory to move second in WRC standings

HELSINKI: Toyota’s Sami Pajari claimed a memorable home victory at Rally Finland on Sunday, securing his second consecutive World Rally Championship win to strengthen his title challenge.

The Finn, alongside co-driver Marko Salminen, finished 26.7 seconds ahead of Toyota teammate Oliver Solberg, two weeks after celebrating his maiden WRC victory in Estonia.

Pajari inherited the lead on Saturday after reigning world champion and Toyota teammate Sebastien Ogier crashed out while holding a comfortable advantage. The victory also marked the 200th World Rally Championship win by a Finnish driver and came in the 75th edition of Rally Finland, formerly known as the 1,000 Lakes Rally.

“It was a big thing to take the win in Estonia, but a home win is always something special,” Pajari said. “Winning at home has not been so easy for the Finns, but after one really crazy rally we made it.”

Championship leader Elfyn Evans completed a Toyota podium sweep by finishing third and also won the Power Stage to collect bonus points. Despite rolling his car on Saturday, the Welshman extended his championship lead to 30 points after 10 of the season’s 14 rounds.

“More than anything, we owe thanks to the guys who fixed the car yesterday lunchtime,” Evans said.

Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville finished fourth and fifth respectively, while Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta recovered to sixth despite hitting a tree on the final stage.

Evans leads the standings on 201 points, with Pajari moving up to second on 171, ahead of Katsuta (160) and Solberg (156). Toyota also extended its lead in the manufacturers’ championship with 514 points, well clear of Hyundai’s 340.

The championship resumes with Rally Paraguay from Aug. 27-30.