The third day of Rally Finland 2024 has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä remains in the event lead after the day’s six stages.
SS11, Västilä 1
Kalle Rovanperä kicked off the second day of his home event with a stage win. As the 2-time champion set a time 2.2 seconds faster than reigning Rally Finland winner Elfyn Evans. Sebastien Ogier was third fastest on the stage, 5.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 3.9 seconds slower than Evans. Sami Pajari finished fourth fastest on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Ogier. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS12, Päijälä 1
Kalle Rovanperä also took home the stage win on the twelfth stage of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 3.3 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest, 4.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.8 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, two seconds slower than Katsuta. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.6 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS13, Ouninpohja 1
Kalle Rovanperä topped the third stage of the day to complete a sweep of the morning loop. Rovanperä took the stage win with a time 0.1 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, eight seconds slower than Rovanperä and 7.9 seconds slower than Ogier. Sami Pajari set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.2 seconds slower than Katsuta. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.4 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS14, Västilä 2
Kalle Rovanperä’s streak of dominance continued on the fourteenth stage of Rally Finland 2024. As the event leader set a time 6.7 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 7.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.8 seconds slower than Ogier. Sami Pajari was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Neuville. While Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS15, Päijälä 2
Esapekka Lappi brought Rovanperä’s stage win streak to an end. As the Finnish driver finished 0.5 seconds faster than his fellow countryman Kalle Rovanperä to take the stage win. Adrien Fourmaux was third fastest on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Lappi and 2.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.9 seconds slower than Evans.
SS16, Ouninpohja 2
Kalle Rovanperä capped off the third day of Rally Finland 2024 with his fifth stage win of the day. With a time 4.8 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Adrien Fourmaux was fourth fastest on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Pajari. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
The second day of Rally Finland 2024 has come to an end Oliver Solberg leads the WRC2 class after the first 10 stages.
Day One – SS1, Harju 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the weekend with a stage win. As the Swede set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe to take the stage win. Jari-Matti Latvala finished third fastest on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than Solberg and one second slower than Linnamäe.
Day Two – SS2, Laukaa 1
Robert Vivres kicked off the second day of Rally Finland 2024 with a stage win. As the Estonian finished 0.1 seconds faster than Jari-Matti Latvala. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Virves and 0.3 seconds slower than Latvala.
SS3, Saarikas 1
Only two drivers ran the stage, as the stage was stopped after Lauri Joona ran the stage. Solberg had the fastest time, 6.8 seconds faster than Joona and 18.4 seconds faster than the time everyone else received.
SS4, Myhinpãä 1
Jari-Matti Latvala took home the stage win on the fourth stage of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 0.9 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg. Emil Lindholm and Georg Linnamäe tied for third fastest on the stage. With the two drivers finished 1.1 seconds slower than Latvala and 0.2 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS5, Ruuhimäki 1
Robert Virves took home his second stage win on SS5. With a time 0.4 seconds faster than Roope Korhonen. Jari-Matti Latvala rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Virves and 0.2 seconds slower than Korhonen.
SS6, Laukaa 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop of Rally Finland 2024 day two with a stage win. As Solberg finished with a time 10 seconds faster than Mikko Heikklä. Lauri Joona rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 11 seconds slower than Solberg and one second slower than Heikklä.
SS7, Saarikas 2
Oliver Solberg also topped SS7, finishing with a time 0.6 seconds faster than Jari-Matti Latvala. Roope Korhonen and Robert Virves tied for third fastest on the stage. With both finished 4.4 seconds slower than Solberg and 3.8 seconds slower than Latvala.
SS8, Myhinpãä
Jari-Matti Latvala took home the stage win on the eighth stage of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 0.6 seconds faster than Robert Virves. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Latvala and 0.6 seconds slower than Virves.
SS9, Ruuhimäki 2
Oliver Solberg was back to his winning ways on SS9. As the Swede set a time 1.3 seconds faster than Robert Virves to take the stage win. Mikko Heikklä finished third fastest, 1.8 seconds slower than Solberg and 0.5 seconds slower than Virves.
SS10, Harju 2
Oliver Solberg capped off the second day of Rally Finland 2024 with his sixth stage win. As Solberg set a time 0.3 seconds faster than Yuki Yamamoto to take the stage win. Robert Virves and Georg Linnamäe tied for third fastest on the stage. With both Estonians finished 0.6 seconds slower than Solberg and 0.3 seconds slower than Yamamoto.
The second day of Rally Finland 2024 has come to an end Kalle Rovanperä leads after the first 10 stages of the legendary event.
Day One – SS1, Harju 1
Thierry Neuville kicked off the weekend with a stage win. As the Belgian set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta to take home the stage win. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Neuville and 0.2 seconds slower than Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Ogier.
Day Two – SS2, Laukaa 1
Elfyn Evans topped the first stage of the second day of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 0.4 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest, 1.1 seconds slower than Evans and 0.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.5 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS3, Saarikas 1
Kalle Rovanperä took his first stage win of the weekend. As the Finnish star set a time 0.4 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take the stage win. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest, 0.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.5 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier was fourth fastest on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than Lappi. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS4, Myhinpãä 1
Elfyn Evans took home the stage win on the fourth stage of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 0.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville. Sebastien Ogier set the third fastest time on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Evans and 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS5, Ruuhimäki 1
Kalle Rovanperä answered Evans stage win with a stage win of his own on SS5. As Rovanperä finished 0.6 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage. Elfyn Evans was third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.8 seconds slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS6, Laukaa 2
Kalle Rovanperä also took the stage win on the sixth stage of Rally Finland 2024. Setting a time 2.4 seconds faster than Sami Pajari. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 2.1 seconds slower than Pajari. Sebastien Ogier was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.5 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS7, Saarikas 2
Kalle Rovanperä took home his third consecutive stage win on SS7. As the Finnish driver finished with a time 3.1 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Thierry Neuville set the third fastest time on the stage, 4.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 1.2 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Neuville. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS8, Myhinpãä
Thierry Neuville took home his second stage win of the weekend on the eighth stage of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 1.3 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Neuville, and 1.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS9, Ruuhimäki 2
Sami Pajari took home his first WRC stage win on the ninth stage of his home event. Finishing with a time 0.5 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Pajari and 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Thierry Neuville was fourth fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS10, Harju 2
Sebastien Ogier topped the final stage of Rally Finland 2024 day two. With a time 0.2 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Ogier and 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Aiden Fourmaux set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Evans. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
The third day of Rally Latvia has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä remains in the event lead after the day’s eight stages.
SS9, Pilskalns
Kalle Rovanperä kicked off the third day in the same fashion as days one and two. As the Finnish driver set a time 5.4 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the opening stage, 5.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Mārtinš Sesks and Takamoto Katsuta tied for third fastest on the stage. With both drivers finishing 2.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS10, Snēpele
Kalle Rovanperä also took home the stage win on the tenth stage of Rally Latvia 2024. With a time two seconds faster than Ott Tänak. Elfyn Evans was third fastest on the stage, 3.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Evans. Mārtinš Sesks rounded out the top five, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS11, Īvande
Ott Tänak ended Rovanperä’s dominance with a stage win on SS11. As the Estonian finished 2.7 seconds faster than Takamoto Katstua to win the stage. Kalle Rovanperä was third fastest on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Tänak and 0.1 seconds slower than Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, two seconds slower than Ogier.
SS12, Vecplis 1
Kalle Rovanperä was back to his winning ways on the twelfth stage of Rally Latvia 2024. As the rally leader set a time 1.4 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä, and 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Mārtinš Sesks was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing three seconds slower than Sesks.
SS13, Podnieki
Kalle Rovanperä also took the stage win on SS13. With a time 2.6 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier. Mārtinš Sesks had the third fastest time on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.2 seconds slower than Ogier. Adrien Fourmaux finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Sesks. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS14, Vecpils 2
Kalle Rovanperä was also the fastest on the fourteenth stage of Rally Latvia 2024. As the Finnish driver finished 2.7 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier was third fastest on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 1.2 seconds slower than Tänak. Adrien Fourmaux set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Ogier. While Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, with a time 0.1 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS15, Dinsdrube
Sebastien Ogier took home the stage win on the third day’s penultimate stage. As the eight-time champion set a time 0.3 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to top the stage. Takamoto Katsuta was third fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Ogier and 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Ott Tänak finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Katsuta. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS16, Liepāja City Stage
Kalle Rovanperä topped the final stage of the third day of Rally Latvia 2024. With a time 0.1 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta. Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans tied for third fastest on the stage, with both finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.1 seconds slower than Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Neuville and Evans.
The second day of Rally Latvia 2024 has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä retained the event lead after the day.
SS2, Milzkalne 1
Kalle Rovanperä kicked off the second day with a stage win. As the Finnish driver set a time 1.3 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta was third fastest on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Mārtinš Sesks finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Sesks.
SS3, Tukums 1
Mārtinš Sesks took home his first stage win on the third stage of Rally Latvia 2024. With a time 1.6 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 3.5 seconds slower than Sesks and 1.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time, 1.1 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.3 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS4, Andumi
Mārtinš Sesks also took home the stage win on SS4. As Sesks finished with a time 0.1 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä. Adrien Fourmaux was third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Sesks and 0.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth-fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.9 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS5, Milzkalne 2
Sebastien Ogier took his first stage win of the weekend on the fifth stage of Rally Latvia 2024. As Ogier set a time 0.1 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsura to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Ogier and 0.1 seconds slower than Katsuta. Adrien Fourmaux was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Mārtinš Sesks rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS6, Tukums 2
Kalle Rovanperä was back to form on SS6. As the rally leader finished with a time 3.5 seconds faster than Mārtinš Sesks to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier was third fastest on the stage, 3.6 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 0.1 seconds slower than Sesks. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS7, Strazde
Kalle Rovanperä also took the stage win on the seventh stage of Rally Latvia 2024. With a time 1.7 seconds faster than Mārtinš Sesks to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 1.3 seconds slower than Sesks. Adrien Fourmaux set the fourth fastest time on the stage, one second slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS8, Tulsi
Kalle Rovanperä capped off the second day with his fifth stage win of the event. As Rovanperä set a time 3.5 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta to take the stage win. Grégoire Munster finished third fastest on the stage, 5.6 seconds slower than Rovanperä and 2.1 seconds slower than Katsuta. Mārtinš Sesks was fourth fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Munster. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Sesks.
This first day of Rally Latvia 2024 has come to an end. Oliver Solberg took an early lead on the day. Find out all you need to know below.
Shakedown
Oliver Solberg set the fastest time on the shakedown stage in the WRC2 class. As the “almost Latvian” driver set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Fabrizio Zaldivar and Josh McErlean who tied for second fastest. Mikko Heikklä finished fourth fastest on the Rally Latvia 2024 shakedown stage, with a time 0.6 seconds slower than Zaldivar and McErlean. Miguel Zaldivar rounded out the top five in the WRC2 class on the shakedown stage. Finishing with a time 0.1 seconds slower than Heikklä.
SS1, Bikernieki Track
Oliver Solberg kicked off Rally Latvia 2024 with a stage win. As the two-time event winner posted a time 7.6 seconds faster than Roberto Daprà to take an early lead. Emil Lindholm finished third fastest on the opening stage, 8.9 seconds slower than Solberg and 1.3 seconds slower than Darpà. Josh McErlean set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Lindholm. Fabrizio Zaldivar rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than McErlean.
What To Expect From Rally Latvia 2024 Day Two
The second day of Rally Latvia 2024 will see drivers contest 120.92 km across 7 special stages. Unlike other events, 5 of the day’s 7 stages will be different. As only the 4.99 km Milzkalne stage and the 27.56 km Tukums stage will be run twice. They will serve as SS2/5 and SS3/6 respectively. The day features no midday service, only a tire fitting zone. Meaning drivers will have to attempt to limit the damage to their cars as much as possible. There will be a 47-minute service to end the day off. Sami Pajari will be the first of the WRC2 drivers on the road, followed by Oliver Solberg and Nikolay Gryazin.
This first day of Rally Latvia 2024 has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä took an early lead on the day. Find out all you need to know below.
Shakedown
Ott Tänak set the fastest time on the shakedown stage. With a time 0.3 seconds faster than championship leader Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest, 0.4 seconds slower than Tänak and 0.1 seconds slower than Neuville. Mārtinš Sesks posted the fourth fastest time on the shakedown stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the Rally Latvia 2024 shakedown stage, with a time 0.2 seconds slower than Sesks.
SS1, Bikernieki Track
Kalle Rovanperä picked up where he left off last time out in Poland. As the 2-time drivers champion finished the opening stage 2.4 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville and Sebastien Ogier who tied for second. Mārtinš Sesks finished fourth on the first stage of his home event, 0.5 seconds slower than Neuville and Ogier. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing one second slower than Sesks.
What To Expect From Rally Latvia 2024 Day Two
The second day of Rally Latvia 2024 will see drivers contest 120.92 km across 7 special stages. Unlike other events, 5 of the day’s 7 stages will be different. As only the 4.99 km Milzkalne stage and the 27.56 km Tukums stage will be run twice. They will serve as SS2/5 and SS3/6 respectively. The day features no midday service, only a tire fitting zone. Meaning drivers will have to attempt to limit the damage to their cars as much as possible. There will be a 47-minute service to end the day off. Thierry Neuville will be first on the road, followed by Elfyn Evans and Ott Tänak. The slippery road has already caught Neuville out once, so he’ll likely look to take it cautiously and attempt to get a better starting position on day three.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round eight Tet Rally Latvia. Here are some predictions for the WRC2 class.
Solberg Wins
Oliver Solberg only has one win this season. That coming at his home event of Rally Sweden. However, the championship hopeful has plenty of experience at Rally Latvia. Which should give him a slight edge over his competition. Especially those who don’t have the experience at the event. Solberg will have to attempt to beat Sami Pajari, who has won the last two events in class. Pajari will be ahead of Solberg on the road to start the event. This means Pajari will get a road that is slightly fresher than Solberg for all of the first full day of action.
Pajari, Greensmith Round Out Podium
Speaking of Pajari, I have him taking one of the other two podium spots this weekend. As previously mentioned Pajari has been quick on gravel this season. Winning the last two events in the WRC2 class. Gus Greensmith on the other hand is also a fast driver when it comes down to it. Plus Rally Latvia doesn’t have a laundry list of potential contenders for the podium this weekend. The only other guys I could see coming close are Mikko Heikklä, Josh McErlean and Teemu Suninen. As both Suninen and Heikklä are also properly fast drivers when it comes down to it. Plus Heikklä has experience at the event. Suninen on the other hand is driving a not-so-good Hyundai Rally2 car.
McErlean Has Another Strong Event
Josh McErlean has been kinda looked over so far this season. As the Irishman has put up pretty good results behind the wheel of his Škoda Fabia. Finishing second in Portugal and battling near the top five in Poland. I wouldn’t be surprised if McErlean somehow manages to sneak into the top five this weekend. Again it’s a rather disappointing entry list of cars. However, that still wouldn’t take away from the result. As at the end of the day, every point matters. Plus all experience matters.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round eight Tet Rally Latvia. Find out all you need to know below.
Championship Rundown
Yohan Rossel retained the championship lead after Rally Poland. Despite not contesting the event. Sami Pajari moved into second after winning the event. The Finnish driver now sits just 3 points behind Rossel. Rossel will be absent once again this weekend. This means Pajari should be able to take the championship lead after Rally Latvia. Oliver Solberg sits third in the championship, 7 points behind Pajari. Both drivers have a chance to pass Rossel this weekend. Jan Solans fell to fourth after Rally Poland, which he didn’t contest. The Spaniard now sits tied for fourth with Nikolay Grayzin, 13 points behind Solberg.
Thin Entry Sheet
Rally Latvia will probably be the shortest WRC2 entry list of all the European events. As just 19 drivers will compete in the class this weekend. This includes names such as Oliver Solberg, who is looking for the win this weekend. Alongside Gus Greensmith, Josh McErlean, Sami Pajari, Mikko Heikklä and Teemu Suninen. Outside of those few nobody really has a chance to contest for the win unless somebody either has a shocker of an event, or all of those drivers have issues. Brandon Semenuk is a notable name making his debut this weekend. As the 2 time American Rally champion will drive a Yaris Rally2. However, I don’t have high expectations of Semenuk this weekend. As it’s not only a new car and event but a whole different experience for the Canadian.
More Points On The Board
Less drivers in class means less pressure right? Well, that could certainly be true and will probably be the case. Obviously, this doesn’t mean everyone will take it easy and just finish the event. Points are still points and for guys like Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari every single one matters at this point in the season. As both are strong contenders for the championship. Neither of them will go easy on one another this weekend. Which is probably how they’d like it anyway. As nobody enjoys being handed points. Especially in a close championship battle.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round eight Tet Rally Latvia. Here are some predictions for the Rally1 class.
Tänak Wins
Rally Latvia is set up to be an epic three-way battle between Kalle Rovanperä, Sebastien Ogier and Ott Tänak. All three drivers are blisteringly quick when it comes down to it. Personally, I have Tänak taking home the win. Why? Simply put Tänak is probably going to be a man on a mission this weekend. As his Rally Poland ended way early due to a deer. Then a roll in the ERC running of his home event Rally Estonia the week after. Tänak is already somebody who wants to win at every event. Add that to him falling out of the running for the championship and the previously mentioned incident and it’s a storm waiting to happen.
Sesks Finishes Top 5
This may be a bit far-fetched. However, out of all the rally1 drivers, Sesks has the most experience on these roads. As it’s his home event. Sure he still has a lack of time in the car, especially with the hybrid unit. However, after his showing in Poland, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected out of Sesks. It won’t be an easy feat for the Latvian to pull off, as he’ll have to fend off one or more of Kalle Rovanperä, Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Ott Tänak, Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi and Adrien Fourmuax.
Neuville Falls Out Of The Championship Lead
Thierry Neuville has led the championship since the start of the season. After a win at the opening round in Monte-Carlo. However, Neuville sits in a position where he could lose the championship lead this weekend. As Elfyn Evans sits just 15 points behind the Belgian. Sure that sounds like a lot. But all it takes is for Neuville to have an issue at any point in the weekend and those points will bleed away. Of course, you never hope to see a driver run into issues. However, it’s a part of rallying that can happen to anybody.
Evans Shows Up
Elfyn Evans hasn’t had the greatest first half of the season. As the Welshman is without a win to this point and arguably wouldn’t be the number one championship contender for Toyota if Ogier didn’t miss out on Rally Poland. Evans has to hope Rally Latvia goes way better than any other event this season. As he desperately needs the points if he wants to remain a threat for the championship heading into the back half of the season. He can’t rely on another lucky Rally Finland to kick-start his season.