Who Are The WRC2 Championship Contenders?

The 2023 WRC calendar only has 3 events remaining, and the WRC2 championship is still up for grabs, but who could win it?

When Could The Championship Be Won?

Let’s get this out of the way at the beginning, the WRC2 championship likely won’t be won until Rally Japan, the final event of the season. Why is this? Just 53 points separate 1st and 9th in the championship currently. Out of those 9 drivers, only 5 are candidates to win the championship. Furthermore just 28 points separate 1st and 3rd. Now you may be saying to yourself that the championship can be won at the Central European Rally. It’s possible but extremely unlikely. As current WRC2 leader Andreas Mikkelsen will not be competing in Chile later this month. Meaning he will likely lose the championship lead unless Rossel and Greensmith crash out or have a poor showing at the event. For the championship to be won at the end of the Central European Rally, the driver in first place in the championship would have to be 31 points above 2nd place. Now that the math stuff is out of the way, let’s move on to the 5 drivers who could win the championship.

How WRC2 Points Work

WRC2 drivers are allowed to select what events they choose to score points in. For most, this is every round they compete in. For others namely Oliver Solberg there’s a bit more of a thought process behind it. Nevertheless, the amount of rounds drivers are allowed to score points in remains the same. The number of rounds drivers are allowed to score points in is 5 European events and 1 round outside of Europe. This is something most drivers wanting to win the championship takes advantage of. As missing out on a potential 30 points is massive. Anyway, this means out of the 7 rounds drivers nominate to score points, only 6 will count. Unless they don’t like traveling out of Europe then they can only nominate points in 6 rounds and only 5 are counted. 

Andreas Mikkelsen 

Mikkelsen looks destined to win the WRC2 championship. As Mikkelsen sits 16 points ahead of Yohan Rossel after EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. However as previously mentioned Mikkelsen will not be in Chile later this month. Meaning the gap between him and Rossel will likely close or turn in the opposite direction. Mikkelsen does have an upper hand, however. As after Chile, Mikkelsen will still have a single round to score championship points. Whilst Rossel will only have a single round to score points. Meaning Mikkelsen can afford to miss Chile and potentially lose the championship lead. Mikkelsen will likely compete at both the Central European Rally and Rally Japan to end his 2023 season. Rossel will have to choose one of those events to score points at. 

Yohan Rossel

Rossel led the WRC2 championship heading into Finland. He would quickly lose the championship lead however as he wasn’t scoring points in Finland. Rossel had a rather poor showing in Greece. That being said he did manage to finish third, that’s not how he had a poor showing, however. The poor showing part comes when you look at the times. Rossel finished over a minute behind Mikkelsen at the event. Rossel also hasn’t done great on gravel this season either. Finishing fourth in both Italy and Portugal. However the issue for Rossel on gravel isn’t necessarily his driving style, but more to do with his car. As the Citroen C3 Rossel drives isn’t the greatest car on gravel in the first place. Which raises the question of why is he scoring points in Chile when there are 2 tarmac events afterwards. 

Gus Greensmith

Greensmith had an incredible showing in Greece. Although he finished second, he was fighting a mechanical issue throughout the event. Greensmith currently sits third just 12 points behind Rossel. Much like Rossel, Greensmith has a single-point scoring round left and will be scoring points in Chile. Meaning Greensmith will have a chance at passing Andreas Mikkelsen in the championship standings. As just 28 points separate the two drivers. Greensmith who was pushed into WRC2 after a lacklustre 2022 season in the Rally1 class. Has shown why he is a strong driver who just needed more time and luck in the Rally1 class. 

Kajetan Kajetanowicz 

Kajetanowicz may have the best chance of winning the championship outside of the drivers in the top three in the championship. As he has only competed at 4 of his 6 points scoring events. Meaning he can score points in all the remaining rounds of the championship. Kajetanowicz may sit 45 points behind Mikkelsen currently, and sit 7th in the championship. That all doesn’t matter when Kajetanowicz can score 60 points to hit 123. In fact, Kajetanowicz is the only reason outside of Mikkelsen not competing in Chile why the championship can’t be won until Rally Japan. 

Nikolay Gryazin

Gryazin may sit 9th in the WRC2 championship currently, but he still has probably the third-best odds of winning the championship, but how? Nikolay Gryazin, much like Kajetanowicz, still has 2 points scoring rounds to compete in. Meaning Gryazin has the potential to score 60 points throughout the remainder of the season. He currently sits with 55 points, 53 behind Mikkelsen. However, Gryazin can score 115 points maximum, whilst Mikkelsen can score 138 maximum. Gryazin will have a battle ahead of him, however. As drivers usually don’t score as many points as possible. If it wasn’t for a penalty at Rallye Monte-Carlo, Gryazin would have a slightly easier time to take home the championship. 

Who Can’t Win?

Sami Pajari

Pajari is probably one of the WRC’s best up-and-coming drivers. Taking home his first WRC2 class win in Finland earlier this year. Unfortunately, Pajari’s championship hopes are over. As he currently sits 37 points behind Andreas Mikkelsen. With Pajari only having one point scoring round remaining it’s impossible for him to win the championship. 

Adrien Fourmaux 

Fourmaux was pushed down to the WRC2 class at the end of last season. Fourmaux has shown he can compete this season. With the Frenchman being rumoured to compete in the WRC1 class next season again. Unfortunately, Fourmaux can’t take home the WRC2 championship this season. As much like Pajari, Fourmaux only has a single round that he can score points at, and he sits more than 30 points behind Mikkelsen. 

Oliver Solberg 

From an early favourite to not being able to win the championship. Oliver Solberg hasn’t had the greatest time in WRC2 this season. Although he has been arguably the fastest driver in the class throughout the season. However, it seems like the only events Solberg can finish without issue are those he isn’t scoring points in. As Solberg won the RC2 class in Finland, although he wasn’t scoring points. In fact, Solberg hasn’t scored at points at any of his point-scoring nominated rounds since Rally Portugal, where he finished 10th at. Solberg may have 2 rounds left to score points, but only one will count towards his championship points. As only the best 6 out of 7 point scoring nominated rounds are counted towards the championship. 

Emil Lindholm

Lindholm is another driver in the same spot as Solberg. Having 2 point scoring rounds available, but only one will count. Lindholm is the reigning WRC2 champion, making this a bit more disappointing. Lindholm moved teams mid-season, moving from Toksport to Hyundai. Emil Lindholm has had impressive results so far in the Hyundai, finishing 3rd in Estonia and what would’ve been a top 5 finish in Finland if it wasn’t for his suspension breaking. Lindholm will likely be back in the WRC2 class next season, looking to take home another championship. Although the Fin has been rumoured as a potential candidate to fill a seat at Hyundai next season. 

EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to an end. Andreas Mikkelsen took home a dominant win at the event. Find out more below.

Day One

Andreas Mikkelsen opened the weekend taking the lead after the first day. Winning the SuperSpecial stage to take a 0.4-second lead over Nikolay Gryazin. Marco Bulicia sat in third after the day, 0.3 seconds behind Gryazin. 

Day Two

The second day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece was all Nikolay Gryazin. Gryazin may have only won two stages on the day, but that didn’t stop him from taking a 29.6-second lead heading into day three. Gryazin had a relatively easy time to take the class lead as Mikkelsen had three punctures on the day. Dropping Mikkelsen to 13th in class, over 2 minutes behind Gryazin. Yohan Rossel sat second heading into day three, with Gus Greensmith sitting third, 6.8 seconds behind Rossel. 

Day Three

Day three went much better for Andreas Mikkelsen. So much better that he managed to win all 6 stages on the day and temporarily take the class lead. Mikkelsen was the class-leading heading into the third until Greensmith received time back as a result of a red-flagged stage. Handing Greensmith a 12-second lead to start the fourth and final day. Gryazin retired from the class lead on the third day due to a mechanical issue but would retire on day four. Yohan Rossel dropped to third overall, now sitting 52.8 seconds behind Mikkelsen. 

Day Four

Andreas Mikkelsen gained back the class lead on just the second stage of the day. Although there wasn’t much doubt he would do so, as Greensmith had been experiencing issues throughout the day and event. Nevertheless, Mikkelsen took back the lead and held on to take the event win. Although he only won a single stage. With Gryazin winning the other two stages. Yohan Rossel maintained third place to end the event. Although he was over a minute behind Gus Greensmith who finished second. 

Championship Rundown

Andreas Mikkelsen maintained the WRC2 championship lead in Greece. Mikkelsen now leads the championship by 16 points over Yohan Rossel. The championship is still anybody’s game, as just 53 points separate 1st and 9th in the championship. Mikkelsen will likely lose the championship lead in Chile. As the Norwegian will not be attending the event, but Yohan Rossel and others will be. Gus Greensmith moves into third in the championship after a strong showing in Greece. Greensmith moves past Sami Pajari, Oliver Solberg, Adrien Fourmaux and Kajetan Kajetanowicz, to now sit 12 points behind Rossel. Sami Pajari drops to fourth in the championship, now 9 points behind Greensmith. Adrien Fourmaux moves into fifth in the championship, now sitting just 4 points behind Pajari. Oliver Solberg drops to sixth, 3 points behind Fourmaux. 

Mikkelsen Shows Up

Andreas Mikkelsen pulled off a move reminiscent of reigning World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä in Greece. As Mikkelsen managed to gain back over two minutes to take an event lead. Along with winning all the stages on a day, something Rovanperä has made a habit of doing. Mikkelsen’s performance in Greece goes to show why no matter what you shouldn’t give up. If 3 punctures don’t stop Mikkelsen, I don’t know what will.

Unfortunate Ending 

Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg both had unfortunate endings to EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. With both drivers retiring due to mechanical issues. Solberg retired on SS5 due to a fuel injector issue. Whilst Pajari retired on SS12 due to a different mechanical issue. It’s an unfortunate end for both drivers, as they are in the middle of a heated championship battle where every point matters. 

The third day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to an end. Andreas Mikkelsen regained the event lead on the day. 

SS7, Pavliani 1

Andreas Mikkelsen claimed the first stage win of the third day of the event. Posting a time 21.5 seconds faster than Marco Bulicia on the stage. Yohan Rossel finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Bulicia. Adrien Fourmaux set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Rossel. Gus Greensmith rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6 seconds slower than Fourmaux. 

SS8, Karoutes 1

Andreas Mikkelsen also took the stage win on the eighth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. With Mikkelsen posting a time 16.3 seconds faster than Marco Bulicia. Lauri Joona finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Bulicia. Kajetan Kajetanowicz set the fourth fastest time on the outing, 2.3 seconds slower than Joona. Yohan Rossel rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. 

SS9, Eleftherohori 1

Andreas Mikkelsen also won the ninth stage of the event. Positing a time 7.3 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to sweep the morning stages. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Greensmith. Yohan Rossel set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 9.1 seconds slower than Pajari. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 8.8 seconds slower than Rossel. 

SS10, Pavliani 2 

Andreas Mikkelsen picked up where he left off, taking the stage win on the tenth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. With Mikkelsen posting a time 22.3 seconds faster than Adrien Fourmaux to win his fourth consecutive stage. Gus Greensmith finished third fastest on the stage, 6 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 16.3 seconds slower than Greensmith. Alejandro Cachón rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 11.8 seconds slower than Munster. 

SS11, Karoutes 2

Andreas Mikkelsen also took the stage win on SS11. Posting a time 2.7 seconds faster than Adrien Fourmaux to take his fifth consecutive stage win. Gus Greensmith finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.2 seconds slower than Greensmith. Yohan Rossel rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.5 seconds slower than Munster.

SS12, Eleftherohori 2

Andreas Mikkelsen claimed the stage win on the 12th stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. With Mikkelsen posting a time 5.2 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to complete the sweep of the day and take the WRC2 class lead. Adrien Fourmaux finsihed third fastest on the stage, 11.2 seconds slower than Greensmith. Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1 second slower than Munster. 

Retirements 

Nikolay Gryazin, Sami Pajari and Marco Bulicia would all retire on the third day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Gryazin retired from the class lead on SS8 due to a mechanical issue. Bulicia retired just one stage later due to a mechanical issue also. Sami Pajari retired on SS12 also due to a mechanical issue. All three drivers are scheduled to return for the final day of the event. 

Mikkelsen Comes Back

Andreas Mikkelsen had a disappointing second day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. As the WRC2 championship leader experienced 3 punctures on the day, dropping him to 13th in class heading into day three. Mikkelsen did what should’ve been impossible. As the Norwegian won all the stages on the day to take the class lead heading into the final day. Mikkelsen showed today why he deserves both the WRC2 championship and another chance at the sports top level. 

What To Expect From Day Four

Andreas Mikkelsen leads the WRC2 class by 0.4 seconds heading into the final day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Gus Greensmith sits second, due to how close the gap is there will definitely be a battle for first between Mikkelsen and Greensmith. Yohan Rossel sits a minute and 4.8 seconds behind Greensmith heading into the final day, so don’t expect much from Rossel. As he will likely try to hold onto the final podium position. M-Sport drivers fill the last two top five spots, with Munster in fourth and Fourmaux in fifth. Munster sits 36.4 seconds behind Rossel and 25.6 seconds ahead of Fourmaux. Kajetan Kajetanowicz sits just 7.9 seconds out of a top-five spot, so he will likely battle with Fourmaux for the position. 

The 2023 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round 10, EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. 

Driver’s Championship Rundown

Andreas Mikkelsen leads the WRC2 Drivers’ Championship heading into EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Yohan Rossel who sits second in the championship, will not be at the event this weekend. Rossel hasn’t scored championship points since Rally Italia Sardegna. He did contest Secto Rally Finland but didn’t score points. Instead, he raced the event to gain some much-needed experience at the gravel Grand Prix. Rossel sits 5 points behind Mikkelsen. After winning his home event in Finland, Sami Pajari moved into third in the championship. Now sitting just 6 points behind Rossel. Pajari passed Oliver Solberg in Finland. Although Solberg was the class winner in Finland. Solberg wasn’t scoring points, however. Solberg dropped to fourth in the championship because of this, now sitting 7 points behind Pajari. Gus Greensmith and Emil Lindholm sit tied for fifth. With both drivers sitting just 2 points behind Solberg heading into this weekend. Lindholm will not be at the event this weekend. Meaning Greensmith only has to score 1 point to move into sole possession of fifth. 

What To Expect This Weekend 

It’s likely that the top five drivers will battle it out to try and move into a higher position this weekend. Solberg and Pajari will battle for second place this weekend. Whilst Mikkelsen will try to expand his championship lead. Adrien Fourmaux who sits 9th in points will likely move into 6th after this weekend. As Kajetanowicz and Lindholm aren’t at the event, and Gryazin isn’t scoring points. Meaning he shouldn’t have much of an issue getting the 10 points needed to move into sole possession of 6th place. Marco Bulicia sits tied for 10th heading into this weekend. Bulicia is tied with Teemu Suninen for the position. Bulicia will likely pass Suninen to take sole possession of the position. 

No Points For Gryazin

Nikolay Gryazin will not be scoring Drivers’ Championship points at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece this weekend. He will be scoring team points for the Toksport WRT 2 team. Gryazin currently sits tied for 7th in the championship with Kajetan Kajetanowicz. Gryazin has been consistently on the WRC2 podium this season. Finishing second in Monte-Carlo after a penalty took his rally win away. He also finished second in Croatia and third in Finland. 

The fourth and final day of Secto Rally Finland has come to an end. Sami Pajari held on to claim the WRC2 class victory.

SS19, MOKSI-SAHLOINEN 1

Emil Lindholm took the win on the 19th stage of the weekend. Finishing 0.1 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to take the stage win. Roope Korhonen set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Solberg. Andreas Mikkelsen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Korhonen. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five times on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. 

SS20, HIMOS-JÄMSÄ 1

Nikolay Gryazin won the 20th stage of Secto Rally Finland. With Gryazin posting a time 0.9 seconds faster than Emil Lindholm to take the stage win. Andreas Mikkelsen finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Lindholm. Oliver Solberg set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five fastest times on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Solberg. 

SS21, MOKSI-SAHLOINEN 2

Stage 21 saw Emil Lindholm take his second stage win of the day. Setting a time 2 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to take the stage win. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Gryazin. Sami Pajari posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.7 seconds slower than Solberg. Roope Korhonen rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than Pajari. 

SS22, HIMOS-JÄMSÄ 2

Emil Lindholm also took the stage win on the final stage of Secto Rally Finland. With Lindholm finishing 1.1 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to take the stage win. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Solberg. Andreas Mikkelsen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Gryazin. Roope Korhonen rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.

Pajari Holds On

Sami Pajari didn’t win a single stage on the final day of Secto Rally Finland. He would control the gap between him and Adrien Fourmaux to secure the win. This is also Pajari’s first win of the WRC2 season. 

Day Three of Secto Rally Finland has come to an end. Oliver Solberg took the WRC2 class lead.

SS11, VÄSTILÄ 1

Oliver Solberg took the stage win on the eleventh stage of the weekend. Finishing 2.8 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to take the stage win. Marco Bulicia rounded out the top three fastest times on the stage, finishing 5 seconds slower than Pajari. 

SS12, PÄIJÄLÄ 1

Jari Huttunen won the 12th stage of Secto Rally Finland. Posting a time 0.9 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to take the stage win. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Solberg. 

SS13, RAPSULA 1

Gus Greensmith and Sami Pajari tied for the stage win on SS13. With both drivers finishing 1.1 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg. Roope Korhonen set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Solberg.

SS14, VEKKULA 1

Sami Pajari took the stage win on the fourth stage of Secto Rally Finland. Setting a time 1 second faster than Jari Huttunen to win the stage. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top three fastest times on the stage, finishing 1.6 seconds slower than Huttunen.

SS15, VÄSTILÄ 2

The 15th stage of the weekend was won by Oliver Solberg. Who finished 1.4 seconds ahead of Sami Pajari to take the stage win. Emil Lindholm set the third fastest time on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Pajari.

SS16, PÄIJÄLÄ 2

Oliver Solberg also won SS16 of Secto Rally Finland. Posting a time 0.4 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to win the stage. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. 

SS17, RAPSULA 2

Sami Pajari won the 17th stage of the weekend. Finishing 1.1 seconds faster than Emil Lindholm to take the stage win. Adrien Fourmaux set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Lindholm on the stage. 

SS18, VEKKULA 2

Oliver Solberg took the final stage win of the third day of Secto Rally Finland. With Solberg finishing 9.5 seconds faster than Adrien Fourmaux to take the stage win. Sami Pajari posted the third fastest time on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Fourmaux. 

Huttunen and Greensmith Retire

Jari Huttunen who led Secto Rally Finland heading into day three retired on SS15 due to a mechanical issue. The exact cause of the retirement wasn’t said but it was believed to be an engine issue. Gus Greensmith also retired on the third day of the event. As a roll on SS16 ended his event early. Greensmith sat sixth in WRC2 heading into SS16, 0.9 seconds behind Nikolay Gryazin.

What To Expect From Day Four 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. Oliver Solberg sits in the WRC2 class lead. Although he isn’t scoring points. Only counting point scoring driver’s Sami Pajari would be in the lead. Pajari sits 12.5 seconds behind Solberg heading into the final. Pajari sits comfortably in first for the point scorers. With 33.9 seconds separating him and Adrien Fourmaux. There will likely be no battles for a top-five position on day four. With handfuls of seconds separating each driver. 

The second day of Secto Rally Finland has come to an end. Jari Huttunen leads the WRC2 class after a chaotic day.

SS2, LAUKAA 1

Sami Pajari took the stage win on SS2 of Secto Rally Finland. Setting a time 1.7 seconds faster than Emil Lindholm to take his first stage win of the event. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top three fastest times on the stage, finishing 1 second slower than Lindholm.

SS3, LANKAMAA 1

Jari Huttunen took the stage win on SS3. Finishing with a 1 second faster than Sami Pajari to take the stage win. Oliver Solberg once again finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Pajari. 

SS4, MYHINPÄÄ 1

Stage 4 of Secto Rally Finland would be won by Oliver Solberg. With Solberg finishing 1.6 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to take his first stage win of the weekend. Emil Lindholm rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Pajari. 

SS5, HALTTULA 1

Oliver Solberg also took the stage win on SS5. Posting a time 2.9 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to take the stage win. Jari Huttunen finished with the third fastest time on the outing, 0.3 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. 

SS6, LAUKAA 2

Sami Pajari took the stage win on the sixth stage of Secto Rally Finland. Finishing 0.8 seconds faster than Jari Huttunen to take the stage win. Nikolay Gryazin rounded out the top three fastest times on the stage, finishing 2.2 seconds slower than Huttunen. 

SS7, LANKAMAA 2

Jari Huttunen took the stage win on the seventh stage of the event. Finishing 0.9 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to take the stage win. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Pajari. 

SS8, MYHINPÄÄ 2

On the eighth stage of Secto Rally Finland, Sami Pajari came out on top. Finishing 1.3 seconds faster than Jari Huttunen. Nikolay Gryazin rounded out the top three fastest times on the stage, finishing 1.7 seconds slower than Huttunen.

SS9, HALTTULA 2

Oliver Solberg took the stage win on the ninth stage of the event. Posting a time 2.7 seconds quicker than Mikko Heikklä to take the stage win. Jari Huttunen rounded out the top three times on the stage, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Heikklä.

SS10, HARJU 2

Adrien Fourmaux took his first stage win of the event on SS10 of Secto Rally Finland. Finishing 0.4 seconds faster than Jari Huttunen to take the stage win. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Huttunen. 

Drama For All

WRC2 didn’t see as much drama as the WRC1 class of drivers, but they also got their fair share. As Robert Virves would be the sole top WRC2 driver to crash out on day two of the event. Virves went wide on a corner into a rock destroying the right side of his rear end. Emil Lindholm who was in the battle for the rally win had his suspension break just a couple meters from the finish to SS9. Lindholm wouldn’t start SS10 resulting in a retirement penalty. Sami Pajari also didn’t get through SS9 clean. As the Fin reported drove about half of the 9.14km stage with a tire off the rim. Reigning Finnish Rally Champion Mikko Heikklä would have issues with his gear shifter on the first couple stages of the day. Causing him to lose time as a result. It seems the only ones who didn’t suffer any major issues in the top three are Oliver Solberg and Jari Huttunen. 

What To Expect From Secto Rally Finland Day Three

The third day of Secto Rally Finland will see drivers contest 160.68km across 8 special stages. Jari Huttunen heads into the day with a 12.9-second lead over Sami Pajari. It’s expected Huttunen and Pajari will continue to battle for the class win. A win which could prove critical for Huttunen, who has struggled to get funding to compete in the WRC this season. Nikolay Gryazin sits a mere 0.3 seconds behind Pajari heading into the day. So he’s also very much in the battle for the event win. As day two proved anything can happen at Secto Rally Finland. 

The first day of Secto Rally Finland comes to an end. Jari Huttunen leads the WRC2 class after the day.

Shakedown

Oliver Solberg set the fastest WRC2 time on Shakedown. Solberg posted a time 1 second faster than Miko Marczyk to set the fastest shakedown time. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on shakedown, 0.4 seconds slower than Marczyk. Filip Zaldivar set the fourth fastest time on shakedown, 0.4 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Nikolay Gryazin would round out the top five on the shakedown stage, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Zaldivar.

SSS1, Harju 1

Finnish Rally Championship leader Jari Huttunen posted the fastest time on the first stage of Secto Rally Finland. Huttunen finished 1.1 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin. Andreas Mikkelsen set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Gryazin. Emil Lindholm and Adrien Fourmaux would tie for the fourth fastest time on the stage, with both finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Sami Pajari finished with the fifth fastest time 0.2 seconds slower than Lindholm and Fourmaux.

Huttunen Surprises 

Jari Huttunen has only participated in one other WRC event this season. That sole event was Rally Sweden where he would unfortunately retire on SS17. Huttunen has committed to the Finnish Rally Championship this season. In which he is tied for the lead with Lauri Joona. Last season Huttunen competed in Secto Rally Finland. Behind the wheel of a Rally1 car, placing 9th overall, over 6 minutes behind Gus Greensmith. 

What To Expect From Secto Rally Finland Day 2

The second day of Secto Rally Finland will see drivers contest 104.76km across 9 special stages. It’ll feature the first full forest stages of the weekend. It’s expected Jari Huttunen won’t maintain the lead throughout the day. With favorites, Emil Lindholm and Sami Pajari expected to take the rally lead in WRC2. But Rally Finland is anything but predictable. 

The 2023 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with the 9th of 13 rounds, Secto Rally Finland. 

Drivers’ Championship Standings

2021 WRC3 champion Yohan Rossel leads the WRC2 Drivers’ Championship standings heading into Secto Rally Finland. Rossel is currently tied for the most WRC2 rally wins this season with Andreas Mikkelsen and Gus Greensmith, with each driver winning 2 events. Andreas Mikkelsen sits second in the WRC2 championship, 8 points behind Rossel. Oliver Solberg, who won’t be scoring points this weekend, sits third in the championship, 5 points behind Mikkelsen. Gus Greensmith sits fourth in the championship, a mere 2 points behind Solberg. 2022 WRC2 champion Emil Lindholm sits fifth in the championship, 3 points behind Greensmith.

Anybody’s Game

With just 31 points separating 1st and 7th in the WRC2 championship heading into Secto Rally Finland, the championship is still anybody’s to take. Emil Lindholm won Rally Finland last season, beating Egon Kaur by over a minute. Lindholm comes into this weekend as one of the favorites to win the event. This weekend could be a critical one for those who want to win the WRC2 championship. As Rally Finland features some of the hardest roads in the championship. It’s also an event that neither of the top two drivers has had success in. Mikkelsen has never won or podiumed at Rally Finland in either WRC1 or WRC2. Yohan Rossel has never run the event in his career. This leaves an open door for drivers like Gus Greensmith, Sam Pajari and the previously mentioned Emil Lindholm to push back on the championship leaders, or potentially take the lead. 

No Points For Solberg 

Oliver Solberg has elected to not score points at Secto Rally Finland. Solberg would make this decision a while back. His reasoning for not wanting to score points at the event is simple, he hasn’t done good here in the past and doesn’t want to risk wasting a scoring round. Last season Solberg crashed out of Rally Finland just a couple meters into the second stage of the event. 

A Full Pack

Normally those without experience in WRC2 choose to skip Secto Rally Finland as it’s a difficult event. This season it seems like everyone and their dog is going to be there. Everyone in the top ten of the championship will be there, minus Teemu Suninen who will be there, just behind the wheel of a WRC1 car instead. Adrien Fourmaux returns after missing the last two rounds. 2022 Finnish Rally Champion Mikko Heikklä will also be there. Alongside Jari Huttunen and Lauri Joona who are tied for the lead this season. 

The fourth and final day of Rally Estonia has come to an end. Andreas Mikkelsen would hold on to take the win. 

SS18, KARASKI 1

Sami Pajari would dig a bit more into Andreas Mikkelsen’s lead. As the Fin would take the stage win on SS18, finishing 2.7 seconds faster than Mikkelsen to take the stage win. Gus Greensmith finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. 

SS19, KAMBJA 1

Oliver Solberg took the win on the 19th stage of Rally Estonia. Solberg finished 1.9 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to take the stage win. Andreas Mikkelsen would lose more time to Pajari. As Mikkelsen finished third fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Pajari.

SS20, KARASKI 2

Sami Pajari would continue his push for the WRC2 win at Rally Estonia taking another stage win. This time Pajari would finish the stage 2.8 seconds faster than Mikkelsen to take home the stage win. Miko Marczyk set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.

SS21, WOLF POWERSTAGE KAMBJA 2

The 21st and final stage of Rally Estonia saw 2 pairs of ties on the stage. Andreas Mikkelsen and Sami Pajari would tie for the stage win. With both drivers finishing 0.4 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg and Miko Marczyk to take the stage win. 

Keeping Mikkelsen Honest

Sami Pajari would head into the final day of the Rally 15.8 seconds behind Mikkelsen. By the end of the day, Pajari cut that lead down to 9.7 seconds. Unfortunately for Pajari his push for the win at Rally Estonia would start too late into the event and he ran out of stages to pull time back on. Nevertheless, Pajari will take second-place points in WRC2 and first place points on the Powerstage as well.