Elfyn Evans is aiming for a third victory at Rally Finland this week as he seeks to extend his lead in the World Rally Championship drivers’ standings. The Welsh driver, who currently holds a 25-point advantage at the top of the championship, has previously won the event in 2021 and 2023 with the Toyota team. His success makes him one of only four non-Finnish drivers to have claimed multiple wins at the fast-paced rally, which takes place in the forests surrounding the city of Jyväskylä.
The 75th edition of Rally Finland begins on Thursday evening with the traditional mixed-surface Harju stage in the center of Jyväskylä. The event features a mix of known and new stages, including reversed and returning tests like Laukaa, Saarikas, Sydänmaa, and Hoho on Friday. Saturday will see competitors tackle familiar forest roads to the southeast, such as Parkkola, Västilä, Päijälä, and Leustu. The rally concludes on Sunday with two runs of the longest stage, Himos-Jämsä, measuring just over 30 kilometers.
Rally Finland is renowned for its smooth gravel roads punctuated by frequent jumps and crests, offering a unique driving challenge. Evans described the event as one of his favorites on the calendar, highlighting the thrill of navigating the fast roads with the latest Rally1 cars. He emphasized the importance of establishing a strong rhythm and connection with the car to remain competitive, expressing optimism about the conditions and his team’s prospects for the weekend.
Evans’ nearest title rival, Takamoto Katsuta, also regards Rally Finland as a special event. Having developed his rallying skills in Jyväskylä through Toyota’s TGR WRC Challenge Program, Katsuta has twice finished on the podium at this rally, placing second in 2022 and third in 2023. The Japanese driver moved to Finland early in his career and made his World Rally Championship debut on this very event a decade ago. Katsuta noted the demanding nature of the rally, stressing the need for full commitment and trust in both pace notes and car. He expressed a strong desire to improve on his previous best result of second place.
As the rally commences, both drivers are poised for a fierce battle across the fast-flowing forest stages, with Evans aiming to maintain his championship lead and Katsuta seeking to narrow the gap. The challenging terrain and high speeds of Rally Finland promise an intense contest in the latest round of the World Rally Championship.