Finnish driver Sami Pajari successfully defended his overnight lead to win the Rally of Finland, marking his second straight victory this season. Pajari finished ahead of fellow Toyota teammates Oliver Solberg and Elfyn Evans.
After ten of 14 events in the championship, Welshman Elfyn Evans remains the overall points leader, while Pajari’s latest win elevates him to second place in the standings.
Reflecting on his triumph, Pajari said, "Winning at home is always special. After a challenging rally, we managed to secure the victory."
The rally weekend was marked by dramatic incidents, including a serious crash involving French veteran Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia. The pair rolled their Toyota multiple times at high speed before colliding with a tree. They were hospitalized overnight for observation and withdrew from the final stages.
Elfyn Evans also experienced a rollover during the event but credited his team’s quick repairs for enabling him to finish third. He remarked, "We owe a lot to the crew who fixed the car so swiftly. Their support was crucial."
