On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Toyota's Sami Pajari secured a home victory at the World Rally Championship (WRC) event in Finland, marking his second successive WRC win. Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen finished 26.7 seconds ahead of teammate Oliver Solberg, who was the joint top scorer on the final day with nine points.
This win was significant as it represented the 200th WRC victory by a Finnish driver, achieved during the 75th edition of the rally that began as the 1,000 Lakes Rally in 1951. Pajari inherited the lead on Saturday after teammate and reigning world champion Sebastien Ogier crashed out while comfortably ahead.
Pajari reflected on his achievement, saying, "It was a big thing to take the win in Estonia, but a home win is always something special. 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, finishing third and winning the final Power Stage for bonus points. Despite rolling his car on Saturday, Evans extended his overall lead after 10 of 14 rounds to 30 points ahead of Pajari, who moved up to second place. Japan's Takamoto Katsuta dropped to third, 41 points behind Evans. Evans expressed gratitude, stating, "More than anything, we owe thanks to the guys who fixed the car yesterday lunchtime."
Hyundai drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville finished fourth and fifth respectively. Toyota's Katsuta ended sixth after hitting a tree on the final stage, explaining, "I was trying to avoid a rock on the inside," after finishing with a heavily damaged car.
The Toyota team is headquartered in Jyvaskyla, the central Finnish city that hosts the rally.
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