Evans’ WRC title hopes “difficult” after Finland crash
Elfyn Evans admitted it is “looking difficult” to claim a maiden World Rally Championship title after leaving Rally Finland without scoring any points. The Toyota driver has dropped to fourth in the standings, 36 points adrift of championship leader Thierry Neuville after crashing out on the penultimate stage. Evans was firmly in the victory hunt after […]
Rovanpera reflects on «unreal» Rally Finland exit
Kalle Rovanpera says losing a likely maiden World Rally Championship victory on home soil on the penultimate stage is “quite an unreal feeling” after a near perfect Rally Finland. The two-time world champion was on course to become the first Finn to win the event since 2015, having won 11 stages that helped the Toyota […]
No “feeling” yet for WRC title push as points system “devalues” championship
Sebastien Ogier doesn’t yet have the “feeling” to challenge for a ninth World Rally Championship title, while again taking aim at the points system that he feels is devaluing the title race. The eight-time world champion, competing in part-time season, has emerged as Thierry Neuville’s nearest rival in the championship after taking victory at Rally […]
Ogier clinches victory after Rovanpera rolls
Sebastien Ogier claimed his third World Rally Championship victory of the season after long-time Rally Finland leader Kalle Rovanpera rolled out, denying him a home win in a brutal rally. Eight-time world champion Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais produced a strong drive throughout a demanding Rally Finland affected by changeable weather to seal a 61st […]
Rovanpera, Evans crash out on penultimate stage
Rally Finland leader Kalle Rovanpera and Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans have crashed out of the World Rally Championship event on the penultimate stage. World champion Rovanpera appeared to be on course to claim his first WRC win on home soil having taken a 45.8s lead into stage 19 [Sahloinen-Moksi, 14.27km]. However, the Finn clipped a […]
Rovanpera continues domination to extend lead
Kalle Rovanpera further extended his Rally Finland lead on Sunday morning as the Finn bids to claim a first World Rally Championship victory on home soil. The reigning world champion increased his advantage to 45.8s by winning the pair of morning stages over eight-time world champion and fellow part-time Toyota driver Sebastien Ogier. Rovanpera’s pace thrusted […]
Emulating father the motivation for Rovanpera’s Ouninpohja WRC heroics
Kalle Rovanpera says posting a fast time on the World Rally Championship’s famous Ouninpohja stage to mirror his father Harri Rovanpera was the motivation behind his stunning effort. The two-time world champion dominated Saturday at Rally Finland, winning five of the day’s six stages to open up a 44.2s lead over Toyota team-mate Sebastien Ogier […]
Dominant Rovanpera moves closer to home win
Kalle Rovanpera has opened up a commanding lead after dominating Saturday’s Rally Finland stages to close in on a maiden World Rally Championship victory on home soil. Toyota’s two-time world champion delivered a stunning drive in changeable conditions to win five of the day’s six stages, including two victorious passes of the returning Ouninpohja test. […]
Toyota may consider team orders to help WRC title contender Evans
Toyota could consider team orders to help Elfyn Evans’ World Rally Championship bid in Rally Finland after the title contender suffered an “unusual” mechanical issue, according to Jari-Matti Latvala. Evans was firmly in the fight for victory, sitting in second behind team-mate Kalle Rovanpera, when the Welshman’s GR Yaris suffered a driveshaft failure on Stage […]