WRC Who Could Drive For Hyundai In 2024

The 2023 WRC Season is halfway over. It may be time to start looking ahead to 2024 driver lineups. This article will look at who could drive for the Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT next season.

Full-Time Drivers

Thierry Neuville

Neuville has been a mainstay for Hyundai since it rejoined the WRC in 2014. Neuville is also the only driver with a contract for the 2024 WRC season at this point in time. Meaning there’s about a 99% chance the Belgian will remain with Hyundai next season. Of course, anything can happen between now and the start of silly season, but chances are slim. Neuville has finished second in the championship 4 times in his career so far. Neuville just has been able to top the championship yet. Mind you for most of his career he was battling the likes of Sebastien Ogier for the championship lead, which is no easy feat. Nevertheless, Neuville has proven himself as a worthy number-one driver and a top driver in the championship. 

Esapekka Lappi

Lappi has driven for every manufacturer who has competed in the WRC from 2018 onward. Lappi just hasn’t seemed to find the right fit so far in his WRC career. Although the 32-year-old Fin is talented and can compete with the big boys. Nevertheless, things just haven’t worked out much for Lappi. That is until this season when he joined Hyundai. Lappi has looked like a force to be reckoned with, leading Rally Mexico and challenging for a podium spot at every event since. He hasn’t been able to take a win, however, but that hasn’t slowed him down. Lappi gives Hyundai a consistent driver who can help Neuville push for the championship. While also being able to hold his own when Neuville is out of the race. Although Lappi doesn’t have a contract with Hyundai for next season chances are he remains with the Korean manufacturer. 

Pierre-Louis Loubet

Pierre-Louis Loubet hasn’t had the best 2023 season up to this point. Although the next event EKO Acropolis Rally Greece is one he’s done good at in the past. Loubet has the skill, he just hasn’t had the luck so far in his WRC career. Chances are Loubet remains with M-Sport for the 2024 season. However, Loubet may look to have a fresh start elsewhere. If Loubet is looking for a fresh start Hyundai may be the team to do that with. Loubet has previously driven Hyundai WRC, driving under the 2C Competition banner in 2020 and 2021 before moving to M-Sport in 2022. Hyundai would give Loubet a chance to work with some more experienced drivers. 

Part-Time Drivers

Dani Sordo

Sordo has been another mainstay as a driver for Hyundai since the 2014 season. Sordo switched into a part-time role at the start of the 2018 season but has been somebody Hyundai can rely upon for top-five results since then. Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul has confirmed Sordo will be back with the team in some capacity next season. Whether or not that’s driving has yet to be determined. One things for sure, however, Sordo’s driving will be missed by the team.
Rumours were circulating before Rally Catalunya last season that Sordo would retire at the end of the season. That obviously didn’t happen, but it still raises the question, does the 40-year-old hang up the boots at the end of this season? That’s something we will get the answer to soon. Some think he will, some think he won’t. Nevertheless, if Sordo wants a part-time seat next season he will get said seat.

Teemu Suninen 

Suninen made his Rally1 debut in Estonia this season. Since then he has finished top five at both Rally Estonia and Secto Rally Finland. Suninen has to be one of the favourites to get a part-time seat next season with Hyundai. The 29-year-old Fin was selected to replace Craig Breen after Breen passed away earlier in the season. Suninen would give Hyundai a slightly younger driver that Neuville and others can mentor throughout the season. 

Hayden Paddon

Fresh off his 2023 ERC Championship win Hayden Paddon may look to return to the WRC. Paddon has driven Hyundai rally cars for pretty much his entire career. Only driving M-Sport vehicles for a single event in 2019 and 2013. Paddon would have a bit to prove to Hyundai, but would surely give the team yet another good driver. As Paddon would come in with quite a bit of experience. Paddon is one of the more unlikely candidates for Hyundai however, but the door likely isn’t shut.

Has Hayden Paddon Earned Another Chance In The WRC?

Andreas Mikkelsen 

Mikkelsen was supposed to replace Craig Breen after Breen passed away earlier in the season. This would’ve given Mikkelsen the return to the sports top level he had been longing for. Unfortunately for him, that position fell through and ultimately went to Teemu Suninen. Nevertheless, the door isn’t completely shut for Mikkelsen to return to the sports top level in a Hyundai. As if the rumours of Hyundai adding a fourth car are true Mikkelsen could make sense to fill one of those seats.
The 34-year-old Norwegian currently sits at the top of the WRC2 standings for this season and was on pace to win the championship last season. Mikkelsen would give Hyundai another experienced driver who can help mentor a younger driver on the team. He could also play a role like Dani Sordo in being somebody the team uses when they need Manufacturer points or somebody to put a buffer between Neuville and the other championship contenders. 

Sebastien Ogier 

You probably didn’t expect to see this name on this list. Well if I’m being honest I didn’t expect to put Ogier on this list until a rumour tying Hyundai and Ogier started. The 8-time WRC Champion is without a contract for the 2024 season and could move from Toyota if the right opportunity presents itself. Obviously, there’s really only one other option for Ogier if he does want to leave Toyota. That option being Hyundai, as well chances are M-Sport won’t be able to pay the small fortune it would take to sign Ogier. The 39-year-old Frenchman has proven he can still compete with the likes of Kalle Rovanperä. Hyundai could use Ogier as somebody to help them secure manufacturer points and a few more event wins throughout the season. Chances are however Ogier will remain with Toyota if he drives next season.

Sebastien Loeb

Sebastien Loeb has been missing in action for the 2023 WRC season. With the 9 time champion unable to secure a seat for the season. As M-Sport couldn’t afford him after paying a small fortune for Ott Tänak’s services. Loeb and Hyundai have worked together in the past. With the 49-year-old Frenchman suiting up for the team in 2019 and 2020. Much like Ogier, Loeb would cost a small fortune to sign as a driver but could be worth it in the end. Where Loeb currently sits against the likes of Kalle Rovanperä is unknown as well, they haven’t competed since last season and Rovanperä has gotten better since last season. Nevertheless, Loeb would be welcomed back into the paddocks with open arms. 

Hayden Paddon won the 2023 European Rally Championship this past weekend. Has the 36-year-old earned another chance in the WRC?

The Facts

This past weekend Hayden Paddon became the first non-European ERC champion. Paddon hasn’t competed in the WRC since last season at Repco Rally New Zealand. In which he won the WRC2 class at the event. Before that Paddon was a mainstay for the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team. Driving with them from 2014 to 2018. Paddon has only won a single WRC event at the top level in his career. That sole win came at Rally Argentina in 2016. Parddon’s championship finishes aren’t anything to marvel at. With the 36-year-old’s highest finish being 4th in 2016. Every other season he has placed below 7th in the championship. Paddon has competed in 82 rallies throughout his career, finishing on the podium 8 times and winning 38 special stages. 

Why He Could Get Another Chance

Hayden Paddon may get another chance in the WRC due to his past experience. Drivers with experience in the WRC are hard to come by. Paddon could give a team like Hyundai or M-Sport an experienced driver who may be able to score decent manufacturer points for them. Paddon may also do well in a mentor role for a driver like Pierre-Louis Loubet or Emil Lindholm. 

Why Paddon Likely Won’t Get Another Chance 

There’s about an 80% chance Hayden Paddon doesn’t return to the WRC in a Rally1 car next season. Why will he likely not return? Paddon has proven he is a talented driver and can compete for a championship. The issue with this is he’s done that in a R5 car. There is a huge gap between how the WRC2/R5 cars driver Rally1 cars drive. There’s no guarantee Paddon would be able to compete in a Rally1 car. Mind you that’s the same with any new driver for the class. The one difference between a new driver and Paddon is age. Paddon is 36 years old, which isn’t young in the rally world. Chances are if teams were to bring in a new driver to the top level it would be somebody like Oliver Solberg or Emil Lindholm. Somebody who is a bit younger and can spend more time learning and getting used to the car. Pardon’s experience at WRC events may be the only benefit in selecting him over Solberg or another young driver. 

What About WRC2?

As previously mentioned Paddon has shown he can compete in WRC2 cars. He could be beneficial for a manufacturer team to add to their WRC roster to help mentor younger drivers. Paddon has experienced quite a bit in his Rally career. Meaning he is extremely knowledgeable. He could pass some of that knowledge along to the likes of Emil Lindholm or Adrien Fourmaux. There’s a higher chance of Paddon getting a WRC2 drive if he wants it as opposed to a Rally1 drive. 

Teemu Suninen has raced two events in WRC1 so far. Has he proven himself at those two events or is there still more to see?

Rally Estonia

Teemu Suninen made his Rally1 debut at Rally Estonia, one of the fastest events on the calendar. Suninen placed 5th at the event, 1 minute and 14.3 seconds behind Elfyn Evans. 5th overall isn’t something to marvel about regularly. Especially with only 8 drivers competing and one of those drivers was out from the start. It’s a pretty impressive feat for driving the car competitively for the first time. 

Secto Rally Finland

Suninen went into Secto Rally Finland looking to improve upon his result at Rally Estonia. He would manage to do that, finishing fourth, 4.3 seconds slower than Takamoto Katstua at the event. It was a bit of an easier time for Suninen however. As Ott Tänak, Esapekka Lappi and Kalle Rovanperä all crashed out on the second day of the event. Nevertheless, Suninen did battle with Takamoto Katstua for third on the third and fourth days. With Suninen even sitting in third for a couple of stages before Katsuta regained the position. Even with the retirements of three of the top runners Suninen had his work cut out for him and he didn’t just take the spot and give up trying. 

A Bit Of Pressure

Suninen also had a bigger role at the event as well. As with Lappi out it meant he was the only other manufacturer point scorer for Hyundai. With Secto Rally Finland already being his home event the pressure was on from the beginning. But with the added pressure of being the only other driver to score manufacturer points for a Hyundai team that is desperate for them right now. As well as Suninen being the only Finnish driver to finish the event he had a bit of pressure on him come events end. 

The Verdict

Suninen has kind of proven himself in a WRC1 car. Two events isn’t much to base anything off of. Add that to the fact one or more of the drivers destined for a top-five stop ended up out of the running via retirement or penalties. Rally Estonia and Secto Rally Finland aren’t really the best rallies to determine if he’s proven himself or not. Suninen has proven that he can compete with other drivers, however. I wouldn’t be surprised if Suninen finished in the top five one or two more times this season. When he’s not in the top five he will likely compete for the 6th overall spot. 

Recent rumors have suggested the 2024 WRC calendar could be released early next month or sometime this month, but what could it look like? 

Confirmed Events 

11 of the 13 events from the 2023 WRC Calendar are expected to return next season. Those events being the following:

• Rallye Monte-Carlo
• Rally Sweden
• Croatia Rally
• Rally De Portugal
• Rally Italia Sardegna 
• Safari Rally Kenya
• Secto Rally Finland
• EKO Acropolis Rally Greece
• Central European Rally
• Rally Chile Bio Bio
• Forum8 Rally Japan
• Rally Latvia 

Latvia was confirmed to be a part of the 2024 schedule earlier in the season. With the event replacing the fan favorite Rally Estonia. 

What Other Events Could Be Added?

Rally Poland

Rally Poland has been the event largely rumored to be returning to the World Rally Championship next season. With it last being featured on the WRC calendar in 2017 when Thierry Neuville won. Rally Poland was first featured on a WRC calendar during the 1973 season. Achim Warmbold took home the win at the event that year. The event was absent for 36 years, reappearing in 2009. The event was once again absent from the calendar for the 2010 through 2013 runnings. Reappearing in 2014 and staying on the calendar until 2017. The event has since been a mainstay on the European Championship calendar. Latvian driver Martins Sesks won the 2023 running of the event back in May. 

Rally Argentina 

Rally Argentina may be one of the favorites amongst the fans to return to the calendar. It’s unlikely the event will return for the 2024 season, however. Although it would be nice to see the event that was previously a mainstay on the WRC calendar return. Especially with Rally Mexico likely not being on the calendar. Having two events in the Americas seemed like the plan for the WRC this season onward. It looks like that has changed, however. From a championship standpoint, it makes sense especially if you can’t get Rally Chile and whatever other Rally in the Americas one after the other. As a result of it not being cheap for the teams to transport the cars across the ocean four times in a season. Nevertheless, if the WRC found a way to make the event work drivers and fans would likely love to see the event back. 

What Schedule Changes Could Be Made?

Safari Rally Kenya

It has also been rumored that Safari Rally Kenya will return to a date around Easter. Much like the event ran until 1998 when the event was moved to February. Later moving to July for the 2001 season. If this were to happen the event would take Rally Mexico’s spot from the season and be the third event on the calendar as a result. One of the two previously mentioned events will likely take its date in June. 

Rally Latvia 

With Rally Latvia coming in as an unofficial Rally Estonia’s replacement it’s likely the event will take place in July. If the previously mentioned move for Safari Rally Kenya does indeed happen the event could take place in June with a different event taking place in July. 

Where’s Rally USA?

A WRC return to the United States had been rumored for the 2024 season. With a test event taking place in March and a volunteer training in September. It looks like Rally fans in the USA will have to wait another year for the WRC to return for the first time since 1988. A return to the USA has been long awaited for many die-hard fans of the sport. Unfortunately setting up an event to the scale of what’s needed for the WRC isn’t an easy task. 

The Expected 2024 WRC Calendar 

• Rallye Monte Carlo (January)
• Rally Sweden (February) 
• Safari Rally Kenya (March) 
• Croatia Rally (April) 
• Vodafone Rally De Portugal (May) 
• Rally Italia Sardegna (June) 
• Unknown Rally (June)
• Rally Latvia (July) 
• Secto Rally Finland (August)
• EKO Acropolis Rally Greece (September)
• Rally Chile Bio Bio (September)
• Central European Rally (October)
• Forum8 Rally Japan (November) 

Secto Rally Finland has come to an end. Elfyn Evans held on to take a dominant win at the event.

Championship Standings

Reigning Champion Kalle Rovanperä did not take home any points at Secto Rally Finland due to him crashing out. Meaning Elfyn Evans was able to close the gap between him and Rovanperä to 25 points from 55. Evans subsequently expanded the gap between him and Thierry Neuville to 11 points from 3. Ott Tänak remains fourth, now 30 points behind Neuville. Sebastien Ogier who hasn’t driven since Kenya remains fifth. The championship at this point is a three-horse race, as it realistically can be won by Neuville, Evans or Rovanperä. Mathematically every WRC1 driver and Oliver Solberg (WRC2) can still win the championship. 

Day One

The first day of Secto Rally Finland saw drivers race a single 3.48km stage. 2022 winner Ott Tänak won the stage. Taking a 0.6-second lead over Thierry Neuville into the second day.

Day Two

The second day of the event and the first full day of competition saw drivers compete 104.76km across 9 stages. Elfyn Evans came out on top after the day. Leading Thierry Neuville by 6.9 seconds. Kalle Rovanperä led the event for part of the day, until rolling on SS8 and retiring. Ott Tänak and Pierrr-Louis Loubet retired on SS3. Tänak retired due to his engine being destroyed. While Loubet crashed out and would return on day three. 2017 winner Esapekka Lappi also crashed out and retired from the event. 

Day Three

The third day saw drivers compete 160.68km across 8 stages. Elfyn Evans took all but one stage win on the day. Expanding his lead over Neuville to 32.1 seconds. Day three saw no major action in WRC1. Which was a bit of a surprise after the second day eliminated half the field. Teemu Suninen and Takamoto Katsuta battled for third. A battle that ended with Katsuta 6.4 seconds ahead of Suninen at the end of the day. 

Day Four

The fourth and final day of Secto Rally Finland saw drivers compete 51.64km across the final 4 stages. Elfyn Evans once again won all but one stage on the final day of the event. All on the way to winning the event with a 39.1-second lead over Neuville. Evans also took the Powerstage win to take home the maximum 30 points on his second event win of the season. 

Evans Dominates

Elfyn Evans won 10 of the 22 stages of Secto Rally Finland. A number that is double the amount Kalle Rovanperä won. Evans was only challenged by Thierry Neuville at the end of the second day. But from the third day on Evans was untouchable. Only being beaten on two stages by Takamoto Katsuta who had an incredible event. 

WRC Secto Rally Finland has come to a close. Elfyn Evans won the event but the true winners were the fans, but how?

Why Were Fans The True Winners?

Elfyn Evans was the driver winner for Secto Rally Finland, but the fans won in a different way. The big win for the fans is a now prolonged Driver’s’ Championship battle. As now just 25 points separate Elfyn Evans and reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä. If Rovanperä claimed the full 30 points in Finland like he was on pace too. We would’ve been spending the next month or so doing a whole lot of math to see how Rovanperä could clinch the championship at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Now that math will have to wait for at least another round. Rovanperä will still likely win the championship. As he doesn’t make many mistakes like the one made this weekend. Nevertheless, the battle will be prolonged. Giving fans something to talk about for just that little bit longer.

Not Just A Two-Man Race

The battle for the championship isn’t a two-man race, however. As Thierry Neuville also has a decently good chance of winning his first championship. Although he will have to fight tooth and nail for it. With 36 points now separating him and Rovanperä and just 11 points between him and Evans. Neuville won EKO Acropolis Rally Greece last year. Amid a Hyundai podium sweep. Which saw Ott Tänak place second and Dani Sordo place third. 

When Could The Championship Be Won?

The earliest the championship could be won under a plethora of circumstances is Rally Chile Bio Bio at the end of next month. One of the less confusing circumstances for the championship to be handed out there would be for Evans to score 0 points in Greece. Well Rovanperä takes the maximum 30 points, and Neuville scores somewhere under a top-three finish. It gets much more confusing if all three finish the event on the podium. If that were to happen the earlier the championship would be won is the new Central European Rally in October. Which will likely be when the championship is handed out anyway. But like anything the WRC is extremely unpredictable. 

The fourth and final day of Secto Rally Finland has come to an end. Elfyn Evans held on to take his second win of the season. 

SS19, MOKSI-SAHLOINEN 1

Elfyn Evans picked up pretty much where he left off, taking yet another stage win. With Evans setting a time 1 second faster than Teemu Suninen to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Suninen. Thierry Neuville posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Katsuta. Jari-Matti Latvala rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 4.9 seconds slower than Neuville.

SS20, HIMOS-JÄMSÄ 1

Takamoto Katsuta took the stage win on the 20th stage of Secto Rally Finland. Setting a time 1.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Teemu Suninen finished third quickest on the outing, 1.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Suninen. Jari-Mark Latvala once again rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than Evans. 

SS21, MOKSI-SAHLOINEN 2

Elfyn Evans was back on top at the end of SS21, taking another stage win. With Evans posting a time 4.5 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Teemu Suninen finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Suninen. Jari-Matti Latvala once again rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 4.8 seconds slower than Katsuta. 

SS22, HIMOS-JÄMSÄ 2 (WOLF POWER STAGE)

Elfyn Evans finished Secto Rally Finland taking yet another stage win. With Evans posting a time 0.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Teemu Suninen finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Suninen. Jari-Matti Latvala would once again round out the top five times on the stage, finishing 4.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. 

Evans Continued To Dominate

Eflyn Evans once again won the majority of the stages on the day. Taking three of the four stage wins including the Powerstage win. All on the way to winning Secto Rally Finland for the second time in the last 5 event runnings. 

The third day of Secto Rally Finland has come to an end. Elfyn Evans retained his lead after a dominant day by him.

SS11, VÄSTILÄ 1

Elfyn Evans took the stage win on the 11th stage of the weekend. With Evans finishing 4.6 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take home the stage win. Teemu Suninen finished third quickest on the stage, 7.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta posted the fourth fastest time, 0.8 seconds slower than Suninen. Jari-Matti Latvala rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 7.6 seconds slower than Suninen.

SS12, PÄIJÄLÄ 1

Stage 12 of Secto Rally Finland was also won by Eflyn Evans. With Evans posting a time 0.4 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Teemu Suninen finished third fastest on the stage, 7.3 seconds slower than Neuville. The returning Pierre-Louis Loubet posted the fourth quickest time on the outing, 6.3 seconds slower than Suninen. Jari-Matti Latvala once again finished fifth fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Loubet.

SS13, RAPSULA 1

Stage 13 was also won by none other than Elfyn Evans. With Evans setting a time 3.4 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta finished with his first top-three time of the day, 5.7 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.8 seconds slower than Suninen. 

SS14, VEKKULA 1

Stage 14 of Secto Rally Finland was also won by Elfyn Evans, meaning he completed the sweep of the morning loop. Evans finished 2.4 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville to take his fourth consecutive stage win. Takamoto Katsuta once again set the third fastest time on the stage, this time it was 5.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Katsuta. Pierre-Louis Loubet once again rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Suninen. 

SS15, VÄSTILÄ 2

Elfin Evans continued his dominance on SS15, taking yet another stage win. Evans finished 7.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 2.5 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Katsuta. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five once again, finishing 5.1 seconds slower than Suninen. 

SS16, PÄIJÄLÄ 2

Stage 16 of Secto Rally Finland was also won by Elfyn Evans. With Evans posting a time 4.5 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville. Teemu Suninen finished third fastest on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Suninen. Pierre-Louis Loubet once again rounded out the top five times on the stage, 5.1 seconds slower than Katsuta.

SS17, RAPSULA 2

Elfyn Evans continued his dominance of SS17 taking yet another stage win. With Evans setting a time 2.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take his seventh consecutive stage win. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Katstua. Pierre-Louis Loubet once again finished with the fifth fastest time on the stage, 12 seconds slower than Suninen. 

SS18, VEKKULA 2

The final stage of the day of Secto Rally Finland finally saw someone other than Elfyn Evans win a stage. With Takamoto Katsuta finishing 1.6 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Eflyn Evans posted the third fastest time on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen finished fourth fastest on the stage, 4.2 seconds slower than Evans. Jari-Matti Latvala rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 7.2 seconds slower than Suninen.

Evans Dominates

Elfyn Evans took all but one stage win on the third day of Secto Rally Finland. Extending his lead from 6.9 seconds to 32.1 seconds at the end of the day. Evans should have a relatively easy time taking his second Rally Finland win in the last 5 runnings. But as mentioned a lot this weekend, anything can happen at Rally Finland and nothing is ever easy.

What To Expect From Day Three Of Secto Rally Finland

The fourth and final day of Secto Rally Finland will see drivers contest 51.64km across 4 stages to round out the event. With Evans sitting comfortably ahead of Neuville it’s unlikely the two will battle for position. With both drivers just wanting to finish the event and take home points at an event Rovanperä isn’t. Takamoto Katsuta and Teemu Suninen will likely battle for the final podium position. Suninen sat in third for part of the day. 

Contrary to an article posted a couple hours ago, Kalle Rovanperä will not restart Secto Rally Finland on day three.

Rovanperä Will Not Restart

Kalle Rovanperä was believed to be restarting on day three of Secto Rally Finland. This belief was caused by Rovanperä’s name being put on the start list for day three. Rovanperä was supposed to start second on the road, behind Pierre-Louis Loubet who will be restarting. 

Reason For Not Restarting 

The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team was given an extra hour to get the car back to parc femé at the end of day two. It was given to them due to  the time needed for the FIA technical delegate to give the authorization to repair it. Unfortunately for them and Rovanperä the chassis was too damaged for them to repair. This was kind of expected after Rovanperä’s car was pretty much a shell after he went end over end. But Toyota has repaired similar incidents in the past. Unfortunately this incident was too major for the team to repair. 

A Disappointing Ending

This wasn’t the ending to the 2023 running of Secto Rally Finland Rovanperä or Toyota had hoped for. Rovanperä would’ve liked to have taken the win at his home event. While Toyota would’ve liked the extra manufacturers points and for Rovanperä to get more championship points. Unfortunately you don’t always get what you hope for. It’s also a disappointing ending for the fans attending Secto Rally Finland who went to see the reigning champion in action. Now as a result they only have two Finnish drivers in the WRC1 class to watch. As Esapekka Lappi will also not be restarting. The two Fins that are left are Teemu Suninen and fan favourite Jari-Matti Latvala. Nevertheless the remaining drivers will be sure to put on the best show possible for the fans. 

Kalle Rovanperä Rolls Out Of Secto Rally Finland

Just a couple hours ago the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT announced championship leader Kalle Rovanperä will restart Secto Rally Finland.

Rovanperä Returns

Kalle Rovanperä crashed out of the lead on the eighth stage of Secto Rally Finland. Rovanperä led the event by 5.7 seconds over Elfyn Evans heading into the stage. The day was shaping up to be one reminiscent of Rally Estonia day three and four. With Rovanperä looking like he was going to take every stage win besides SS2. Which was won by Takamoto Katsuta. If Rovanperä did win all the stages on the day he likely would’ve had his first Rally Finland win in the bag. Unfortunately for Rovanperä, Secto Rally Finland is anything but easy and predictable. 

What Rovanperä’s Return Means

Kalle Rovanperä will be the second car on the road tomorrow. He will also start nearly 30 minutes behind Elfyn Evans who leads the rally. From a realistic standpoint, Rovanperä could climb into maybe a top 20 position at most. With a top 10 position unlikely Rovanperä will likely attempt to preserve tires for the Powerstage. We are also talking about Kalle Rovanperä who was going as slow as he could in Rally Estonia and still beat everyone by a handful of seconds on each stage. Nevertheless, Rovanperä’s roll is proof the reigning champion is indeed human like the rest of the drivers. 

Not The Only Returning Driver

The M-Sport Ford WRT also confirmed Pierre-Louis Loubet will restart Secto Rally Finland on day three. The Frenchman retired on SS3 after going wide and hitting a tree. Just 1km past where teammate Ott Tänak was forced to retire after his engine decided it didn’t want to work anymore. Tänak will not be returning. Loubet will get the honours of road sweeping tomorrow, but he better drive quickly as he will have an angry Fin starting behind him in Kalle Rovanperä.

2 Drivers Out

Ott Tänak wasn’t the only driver confirmed to not be restarting on day three of Secto Rally Finland. As Esapekka Lappi will also not be restarting the event. Esapekka Lappi sat in fourth, 0.3 seconds behind Thierry Neuville before crashing out on SS5. Lappi was the last Finnish driver to win Secto Rally Finland back in 2017. It has since been won by Ott Tänak three times and Elfyn Evans once. Evans currently looks destined to win the event. But as previously mentioned Secto Rally Finland is anything but easy and predictable.