Round nine of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship, Secto Rally Finland began with the traditional street stage before the rally heads to the famous forests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Part of the event since 1980, the spectators once again flocked to the neighbourhood to cheer on their heroes on this spectacular test – turning up in high volumes despite the wet weather. WRC championship leader Neuville set the quickest time in his Hyundai Motorsport i20 N Rally1 by 1.1 seconds over Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston. Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja are third, 1.3s from the lead with just a further tenth of a second in-hand over Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais. World champions Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen upheld Finnish honour with the fifth fastest time.
“This is always a tricky stage to start every year, it feels every year it’s narrower and narrower,” Rovanperä said. “When it’s damp like this I just want to get it out the way, so tomorrow the real fun starts.” Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson lead the WRC2 field in their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, while Romet Jürgenson/Siim Oja set the pace in Junior WRC with their Ford Fiesta Rally3. The forest action begins on Friday with the Laukaa stage at 8.13am local time.
