started · updated
Sébastien Ogier leads Rally Finland after rain reshuffles the field
Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) topped the Friday results of the 2026 Rally Finland, holding a 16.3‑second lead over teammate Elfyn Evans. Toyota occupied the first four places, with Evans, Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg completing the quartet.
Heavy rain on the Saarikas and Sydänmaa stages dramatically affected the Hyundai crew. Adrien Fourmaux lost about 1 minute 30 seconds, Solberg fell roughly 55 seconds, and Thierry Neuville suffered more than two minutes of loss plus a 20‑second penalty after hitting a hidden rock. Esapekka Lappi crashed, rolled into a ditch and retired from the rally. Julien Ingrassia returned as Ogier’s co‑driver after a five‑year gap, and Pajari sits third, 26.7 seconds behind the leader.
The conditions also impacted other competitors, with several drivers incurring time losses or retirements due to the wet gravel. The rally will continue on Saturday with further stages.
Entities
Adrien Fourmaux · Cosmobilis · Elfyn Evans · Finland Rally · Julien Ingrassia · Rally Finland · Rally Finland 2026 · Sami Pajari · Sebastien Ogier · Thierry Neuville · Toyota Gazoo Racing · Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sami Pajari was third after the morning loop and later moved into second place. www.hameensanomat.fi · www.savonsanomat.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ogier held a 5.3‑second lead over Adrien Fourmaux after the opening stages. lesinguliersete.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ogier is aiming for a historic tenth world‑championship title. lesinguliersete.fr · www.sport365.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Julien Ingrassia accepted Ogier's call after about an hour of consideration. www.ohtuleht.ee · www.sport365.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia reunited as driver and co‑driver for the 2026 Rally Finland. lesinguliersete.fr · www.sport365.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The reunion was caused by regular co‑driver Vincent Landais being absent for personal reasons. lesinguliersete.fr · www.sport365.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Thierry Neuville damaged his front‑left suspension after hitting a hidden rock, losing more than 1 minute 30 seconds.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Esapekka Lappi crashed, rolled into a ditch after about 800 m into a stage.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sami Pajari is third in Rally Finland, eight seconds behind the leader.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Esapekka Lappi crashed and rolled into a ditch, ending his participation in the rally.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Julien Ingrassia reunited with Sebastien Ogian as co‑driver for Rally Finland after a five‑year gap. lesinguliersete.fr · www.sport365.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital acquired the commercial rights to the WRC and ERC, with Eric Boullier appointed as the new GM of WRC Promoter.