Evans Extends Lead After Estonia Rally

Evans Extends WRC Lead After Estonia Rally Despite Sixth-Place Finish

Elfyn Evans extended his lead in the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) after the Delfi Rally Estonia, despite finishing sixth in the event. The Welsh driver, partnered by Scott Martin, secured a 25-point advantage over his nearest challenger, Takamoto Katsuta, following Katsuta’s retirement due to a puncture on Friday. Evans’ lead was further bolstered by a strong performance from Sami Pajari, who claimed a dominant maiden WRC victory, elevating the Finn to third in the standings.

Evans’ margin over Katsuta grew to 25 points after the Japanese driver failed to score points following his retirement. Pajari’s win, his first in the WRC, placed him 33 points behind Evans but just eight points ahead of Katsuta. The victory also marked Pajari as the sixth different winner of the 2026 season, with all five Toyota drivers having secured a round victory this year.

Sami Pajari Claims Historic Maiden Win in Estonia

Sami Pajari delivered a gravel masterclass to claim his first WRC victory at Rally Estonia, leading the event from start to finish. The Toyota driver, co-driven by Marko Salminen, beat team-mate Oliver Solberg by 19.5 seconds, with Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville rounding out the podium. Pajari’s performance included 12 stage wins out of 18, including a streak of nine consecutive fastest times, as he capitalized on improved road conditions throughout the rally.

Pajari’s win came after a challenging Friday, where he overcame a 14.7-second deficit to Solberg. The Finn’s dominance continued into Saturday, with Solberg managing only two stage wins to narrow the gap to 14.1 seconds. Pajari’s final margin of 19.5 seconds highlighted his consistency, while Solberg expressed frustration over his inability to match Pajari’s pace. The feeling is getting better, but the commitment and risk-taking isn’t there yet, Solberg said, acknowledging Pajari’s superiority.

Standings Shakeup as Katsuta’s Retirement Boosts Evans

Katsuta’s retirement on Friday proved pivotal for Evans’ championship bid. The Japanese driver, who had been in second place, was forced out after sustaining two damaged tires, one stage from the end of the day. This allowed Evans to gain eight points, extending his lead to 25 points over Katsuta. Pajari, now third, is 33 points behind Evans, while Sebastien Ogier, who finished fifth, remains five points behind Katsuta.

The rally also saw other key developments. Oliver Solberg, who claimed his second podium of the season, earned 27 points after securing maximum bonus points for Super Sunday. Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville engaged in a tight battle for third, with Fourmaux ultimately prevailing by 1.9 seconds. Neuville, the 2024 world champion, found improved pace on Saturday but fell short of challenging Pajari.

Other Drivers’ Performances and Upcoming Challenges

Jon Armstrong of Motorsport Ireland finished ninth in Estonia, while fellow Irishman Josh McErlean ended the event in 43rd place. Meanwhile, Martins Sesks of M-Sport-Ford faced a turbulent event, including a 20-second penalty for a late service exit and a puncture that dropped him to seventh.

The WRC2 category saw Robert Virves secure the victory, edging out Teemu Suninen and Roope Korhonen. The championship now shifts to the Finland Rally, scheduled for July 30–August 2, where Evans will aim to solidify his lead ahead of the final five rounds.

Key Standings and Rally Highlights

Following the Estonia Rally, the WRC standings are as follows:

The Estonia Rally, featuring a new 50-hour format, tested drivers with challenging gravel conditions. Pajari’s victory underscored the competitiveness of the 2026 season, with six different winners in seven rounds. As the championship heads to Finland, Evans’ lead remains intact, but the battle for second and third positions remains intense.