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Sami Pajari wins WRC Rally Paraguay, securing historic third consecutive victory
The 2026 WRC Rally Paraguay concluded in the Itapúa department, marked by historic achievements and challenging conditions. Finnish driver Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen secured a historic hat-trick, becoming the first WRC crew to win their first three career rallies consecutively. Driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, Pajari finished 25.8 seconds ahead of Hayden Paddon, while Elfyn Evans maintained his championship lead despite finishing fourth.
In the WRC2 category, Paraguayan driver Diego Domínguez and co-driver Rogelio Peñate made history by securing the first-ever WRC victory for a Paraguayan in this division. Driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, they maintained a consistent lead throughout the event. Additionally, Lancia Corse HF claimed the WRC2 Team title, marking the brand's return to the top of international rallying after more than three decades.
The event was characterized by extreme weather, including heavy rain, wind, and hail, which caused significant logistical challenges and tire durability issues for many competitors. Despite these difficulties, the rally was noted for its high level of organization and significant economic impact on the local region.
Entities
Diego Domínguez · Diego Domínguez Jr. · FIA World Rally Championship · Hayden Paddon · Itapúa · Lancia Corse HF · Marko Salminen · Nataniel Bruun · Paraguay · Sami Pajari · Toyota Gazoo Racing
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sami Pajari won the Rally Paraguay with a time of 3:13:28.5. www.todofierro.com.ar · siol.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The rally featured difficult conditions including deep potholes, sharp rocks, high temperatures, and heavy rain. www.todofierro.com.ar · toyotagazooracing.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Adrien Fourmaux finished in third place. www.todofierro.com.ar · www.sport-ivoire.ci · siol.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Elfyn Evans leads the WRC championship with 216 points, while Sami Pajari is second with 196 points. siol.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Elfyn Evans finished the rally in fourth place. www.todofierro.com.ar · siol.net
- [● 5 SOURCES] Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen became the first crew in WRC history to win their first three rallies consecutively. www.todofierro.com.ar · www.sport-ivoire.ci · toyotagazooracing.com · sports.auto-moto.com · www.autosport.com
- [DISPUTED] Hayden Paddon finished in second place, 25.8 seconds behind Pajari. www.todofierro.com.ar · toyotagazooracing.com · sports.auto-moto.com · siol.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Takamoto Katsuta was involved in a violent accident where his car rolled and hit a concrete telegraph pole. www.sport-ivoire.ci · sports.auto-moto.com