Sebastien Ogier claimed his third World Rally Championship victory of the season after long-time Rally Finland chief Kalle Rovanpera rolled out, denying him a house win in a brutal rally.
Eight-time world champion Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais produced a powerful drive all through a demanding Rally Finland affected by changeable climate to seal a 61st profession win by 40.1s from championship chief Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, with M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux third 1m14.1s behind Ogier.
Whereas Ogier briefly held the rally lead after stage two on Friday, the occasion was dominated by two-time world champion Rovanpera who set his sights on changing into the primary Finn to win the rally since Jari-Matti Latvala’s triumph in 2015.
Rovanpera snatched the rally lead from Ogier on stage three earlier than then dropping it to team-mate Elfyn Evans on the following take a look at as crews confronted difficult moist circumstances. Nonetheless, Rovanpera wrestled again the benefit on stage 5 to steer by 0.2s.
Nonetheless, as soon as forward Rovanpera didn’t look again, shifting into an eight-second lead over Evans with Ogier 0.6s additional again on the finish of Friday. On Saturday, Rovanpera left his rivals behind profitable 5 of the six levels together with two passes by the well-known Ouninpohja stage that made its return after a seven-year hiatus. Rovanpera’s second go smashed the stage file beforehand held by Kris Meeke by 23.9s.
A driveshaft failure and prolonged noon service restore that incurred a 2m40s penalty put Evans out of the victory battle and the Saturday points-paying positions. This elevated Ogier, who opted to not assault, into second, 44.2s behind the dominant Rovanpera, who provisionally claimed 18 factors for topping Saturday forward of Ogier [15 points] and Neuville [10 points].
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
Nonetheless, the rally was turned on its head on Sunday. Rovanpera had prolonged his lead over Ogier out to 45.8s after profitable the primary two morning levels, however drama struck the Finn on the penultimate stage when he clipped a rock within the street which pitched his GR Yaris right into a roll and out of the rally. It was the second yr in succession Rovanpera had rolled out of the lead at Rally Finland.
The accident occurred moments after Evans crashed on the primary nook of the identical stage which left the WRC title contender with none factors after lacking out on the highest 10 on the finish of Saturday.
This left Ogier to cruise to victory on the ultimate stage to maneuver the part-time driver to second within the championship, 27 factors behind Neuville.
Neuville claimed second after a troublesome rally that started with the Belgian grabbing an early lead by profitable the opening stage. He then dropped down the order when he overshot a junction in stage three dropping 13s, earlier than scuffling with the dealing with of his i20 N all through Friday and Saturday.
Neuville did nonetheless lengthen his championship lead after inheriting 15 Saturday factors following Rovanpera’s exit, whereas rivals Evans and Ott Tanak failed to attain factors. Tanak’s rally ended on stage three when he misplaced management and rolled earlier than colliding with a tree, which briefly red-flagged the stage. Co-driver Martin Jarveoja was taken hospital right here he spent Friday evening earlier than being launched.
M-Sport’s Fourmaux was amongst these to battle along with his automobile at occasions within the difficult circumstances, however the Frenchman drove neatly to safe third, his fourth rostrum of the season.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Staff Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
Fourmaux completed forward of the spectacular Sami Pajari, who claimed fourth [+1m54.5s] on his Rally1 debut driving a fifth Toyota GR Yaris.
Pajari suffered an tour on stage two that broken his automobile however was capable of get better to finish Friday with a primary WRC stage win in solely 9 makes an attempt as he triumphed on the Ruuhimaki take a look at. He then backed that tempo up by being narrowly crushed on Ouninpohja by Rovanpera and Ogier.
Oliver Solberg took a priceless WRC2 win after ending a powerful fifth total [+ 8m15.5s] forward of Toyota staff principal Jari-Matti Latvala making a one-off WRC2 outing.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta ran as excessive as fourth earlier than he clipped a tree on Friday that ripped his proper rear wheel off his GR Yaris. Katusta was capable of return to motion and gained the Energy Stage on Sunday.
Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi took over fourth, however suffered an analogous destiny when he bounced out of a rut into bushes, however topped the Tremendous Sunday standings.
M-Sport’s Gregoire Munster rejoined the rally on Sunday after rolling out of seventh on Saturday.
