Toyota’s Pajari at the double with Rally of Finland win

Finn Sami Pajari won his home rally on Sunday, protecting an overnight lead through the final day’s two specials to finish ahead of fellow Toyota drivers Oliver Solberg and Elfyn Evans.
After ten of 14 rallies, Welshman Evans still leads the standings for the world title while for Pajari’s second consecutive victory confirms him as the breakout star this season and lifts him to second in the championship.

“I don’t know what to say,” Pajari said. “It was a big thing to take the win in Estonia, but a home win is always something special. It has not always been too easy for the Finns, but after one really crazy rally, we made it.

Frenchman Sebastien Ogier and his co-pilot Julien Ingrassia were rushed to hospital on Saturday after spinning off a forest dirt road at around 130kph when he lost control negotiating a series of turns, with his Toyota rolling several times before hitting a tree.

The pair spent the night in hospital to safeguard against any internal injury and did not return to the rally for Sunday’s two stages.

Evans also rolled his Toyota on Saturday and was sheepish about his third place.

“It was a surreal set of circumstances,” Evans said Sunday. “More than anything, we owe thanks to the guys who fixed the car yesterday lunchtime. We always know we can depend on those guys.”