The snow-covered stages around Umeå delivered an outstanding weekend for Finland, as Rally Sweden concluded with strong blue-and-white results in both the top class and WRC2. The performances of the younger Finnish drivers, in particular, offer real promise for the future – there is no shortage of front-running talent for Finnish rally fans to follow.
In the top category, Sami Pajari produced a clean and composed drive to secure a podium finish for Toyota. Pajari was competitive throughout the weekend, demonstrating his speed on different stage characteristics and avoiding mistakes from start to finish. It was a mature and controlled performance that underlined his growing confidence at Rally1 level.
Esapekka Lappi made his return to the FIA World Rally Championship in Sweden after a lengthy break. Driving the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 for Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, Lappi brought the car home in ninth place and scored points immediately in his comeback event. His balanced and assured performance provides a solid platform for the rest of the season. Lappi will be back in the top class at the next round, Safari Rally Kenya, in three weeks’ time.
In WRC2, Finnish drivers delivered an emphatic clean sweep of the podium. Roope Korhonen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) claimed the class victory, keeping his composure under pressure as the experienced Teemu Suninen launched a determined attack over the final stages to finish second. Suninen was also competing in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Mikko Heikkilä (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) completed the all-Finnish podium. Finnish crews effectively controlled the category for the duration of the rally.
A remarkable one-two-three-four result was within reach as well. Young Tuukka Kauppinen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) was running fourth in class before being forced to retire with an engine failure on Stage 16.
Rally Sweden 2026 offered an exciting glimpse into the future of Finnish rallying. The next challenge awaits in Africa, as Safari Rally Kenya takes place on 12–15 March.
