The next generation of WRC stars continued to shine in Estonia as Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen claimed their maiden WRC victory having led from the first stage to the last.
With an overnight lead of 25 seconds over Oliver Solberg and Elliot Edmondson – who claimed their maiden victory on this event a year ago – Pajari had to give best to his Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate on the two stages that made up the final day’s action.
“It’s something so amazing! Maybe I didn’t realize, what I have just done. Everybody working at Toyota Gazoo Racing, I’m super super happy and grateful for you! Thanks for all the support, thanks for trusting in myself. And all my sponsors, my family, my friends, everyone who stood behind my back in tricky times, this one is for you! Last but not least, I want to thank myself for not giving up, for going for it once again. We knew it was coming, there was no doubt, but now we have done it. So, it’s good,” said the elated winner.
The Hyundai inter-team fight over the final step of the podium was settled on the first run of the day when Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria comprehensively beat Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe, the Frenchman taking his 11th career podium.
With two stage wins, Solberg banked the Super Sunday bonus points, followed by Elfyn Evans, Pajari, Sebastien Ogier and Fourmaux.
The Wolf Power Stage points went to Solberg, Thierry Neuville, Evans, Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta.
Neuville brought his Hyundai home in fourth, followed by the reigning WRC Champion Ogier, and championship points leader Evans.
Martins Sesks came home in seventh, ahead of Esapekka Lappi and Jon Armstrong.
Robert Virves and Jakko Viila held on to take their third WRC victory from three outings, while the fight for second place in the category changed yet again with Teemu Suninen fighting his way into second, displacing the championship leader Roope Korhonen in a thrilling rally long contest.
Read the full story in Motorsport Monday tomorrow.
Image credits: Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai Motorsport, Red Bull Content Pool
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