WRC
Evans, Pajari super on Estonia WRC shakedown
Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari have emerged as early contenders for Delfi Rally Estonia glory after they jointly topped the 4.08km Kastre Shakedown this morning.
But there was drama for Mārtiṇš Sesks and his M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, who face frantic few hours to run repairs after the Latvian’s Ford Puma Rally1 lost its front-left wheel in a heavy impact during his third run.
Although Shakedown won’t have a bearing on the Delfi Rally Estonia results, it can serve as a useful form guide, while also providing a chance for the FIA World Rally Championship stars to fine-tune their cars ahead of the first competitive action getting under way with SS1 from 13:03 local time.
Mārtiņš Sesks picked up heavy damage on shakedown
© At World
Driving Toyota GR Yaris Rally1s on Hankook tyres, Evans and Pajari recorded their Shakedown-topping efforts of 1min 55.6sec during their third runs, as Takamoto Katsuta made it an all-Toyota top three in a time of 1min 55.7sec. Kalle Rovanperä, who was a surprise guest in remote shakedown service on Friday morning, was fastest on last year’s Delfi Rally Estonia Shakedown, which followed an identical route, in a time of 1min 56.3sec.
After equalling the time of points leader Evans, Pajari said: “It’s basically my two favourite rallies, this one and Finland, so really looking forward to it, trying to enjoy it at the same time, but we know that here you need to be bloody quick from the start.”
Asked why the Estonian stages hold particular appeal, Pajari said: “Basically, it’s the adrenaline. Maybe there is not much brain cells left in my head, but I enjoy the adrenaline and the high speed.”
Maybe there is not much brain cells left in my head, but I enjoy the adrenaline and the high speed.
Oliver Solberg, who claimed his maiden WRC victory in Estonia last season, clocked a best time of 1min 55.8sec to go fourth quickest in another GR Yaris Rally1. He said: “Last year was last year, but you have to bring that positive energy into the weekend and the belief, of course. But yeah, just trying to get into the rhythm this morning at high speed, feeling is okay. Just need to go step by step through the weekend and we’ll see how we go.”
Sébastien Ogier made it a Toyota top-five lockout in fifth place as he began his bid for back-to-back WRC wins following his EKO Acropolis Rally Greece victory last month. The defending world champion’s best time was a 1min 56.1sec.
Neuville was the quickest of the non-Toyota entrants
© At World
Thierry Neuville was the fastest Hyundai i20 N Rally1 driver in sixth position with a 1min 56.4sec best followed by team-mates Adrien Fourmaux (1min 57.5sec) and Esapekka Lappi (1min 57.7sec). Frenchman Fourmaux was content with making just two runs of the shakedown stage.
Jon Armstrong led the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team charge in ninth, his time of 1min 58.1sec bettering Josh McErlean’s 1min 58.2sec. Mārtiṇš Sesks was the slowest of the Ford Puma Rally1-driving trio in a time of 1min 58.3sec, but that was the least of his concerns following his off during his third pass of Shakedown.
Home hero Robert Virves was the leading FIA WRC2 contender after two runs with the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 driver completing the 4.08km stage in a best effort of 2min 02.8sec.
The condensed itinerary for this year’s Delfi Rally Estonia, round nine of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, means there’s little respite for the drivers and their teams with a seven-stage opening leg in store today (Friday).
