The closest FIA World Rally Championship title fight in recent memory resumes on Finland’s iconic roller-coaster roads this week, with little more than a handful of points blanketing the leading trio of drivers.
Thierry Neuville, 2019 champion Ott Tänak and Elfyn Evans are the big three as far as the 2024 title race is concerned. Neuville, runner-up in the series on five occasions, heads Hyundai colleague Tänak by eight points after eight rounds. Evans, who has narrowly missed out on the title twice, lies five points further back.
Based out of ther central City of Jyväskylä, Finland is the fastest event on the calendar and a jewel in the WRC’s crown. Smooth gravel roads with heart-stopping jumps and blind corners winding through forests and around lakes demand bravery and pin-point accuracy in the delivery of pace notes.
Neuville is eager to put the frustrations of Tet Rally Latvia behind him, when road-opening duties on the soft gravel roads deprived him of a chance to fight with the frontrunners.
“Being on the podium here previously provides a confidence boost, however the cars and roads develop year-to-year so the rally remains as challenging as ever,” he said. “The target is still to defend our lead in both championships but also to enjoy this fast rally and really be in the game.”
Estonia’s Tänak, who joins Neuville plus Esapekka Lappi in a three-strong i20 N Rally1 team, is one of the favourites to take victory with three previous Finland wins to his credit. But Evans has also proved his mettle on the fast-paced roads, taking glory here in 2021 and 2023.
The Welshman forms part of an all-star Toyota GAZOO Racing line-up which includes home hero and reigning world champion Kalle Rovanperä plus eight-time title-winner Sébastien Ogier, both of whom are contesting selected rounds this year. Ogier, 40, has not competed in Finland since 2021.
The Japanese marque, which bases its rally activities from Jyväskylä, will also field GR Yaris Rally1 cars for Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari, the latter making his debut at rallying’s top level with co-driver Enni Mälkönen alongside.
At M-Sport Ford, Adrien Fourmaux will look to add a fourth podium to his 2024 tally while Grégoire Munster pilots the British team’s second Puma Rally1 car.
The rally opens with a spectacular street stage in Jyväskylä on Thursday night and drivers face 20 tests, including the legendary Ouninpohja, covering 305.69km before Sunday afternoon’s finish.
