Sebastien Ogier claimed victory in a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 Secto Rally Finland that saw his Toyota teammate Kalle Rovanpera crash out of the lead.
The final day of the 2024 Secto Rally Finland delivered high drama and an unexpected outcome, as Sebastien Ogier capitalized on a late crash by race leader Kalle Rovanpera to claim his 61st career World Rally Championship victory.
The two-time defending champion and local hero, started the final day with a commanding lead of 45.8 seconds. He had been in stellar form throughout the rally, winning multiple stages and was set to become the first Finnish driver to win Rally Finland in seven years.
However, disaster struck during the penultimate stage when the Finn clipped a rock that had rolled onto the road. The impact caused his car to roll, ending his chances for victory and leaving him visibly distraught.
The setback handed the lead to Sebastien Ogier who proceeded to secure the elusive win in his first return to Rally Finland since 2021.
The eight-time world champion finished the rally in a time of 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 41.9 seconds, with Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville finishing in second place, 40.1 seconds behind. Meanwhile, M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the podium in third place, 1 minute and 14.1 seconds off the lead.
Ogier, while pleased with the win, expressed sympathy for Rovanpera and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen, acknowledging that such outcomes are part of the unpredictable nature of the event.
Rovanpera won 11 stages of the 18 he completed while Ogier took just one win!
“It’s hard to smile right now,” said the rally winner. “A win in Finland is always nice but that is not the way we like to have it. Very sorry for Kalle and Jonne, amazing pace all weekend.
“We were unlucky in Sardinia and lost in the last stage but we are luck here. That is motorsport. I have to see if we do a full campaign but it looks like I have no other option. It is not my priority anymore but we will see.”
A similar crash happened to Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin on the same stage, when their GR Yaris drifted wide and clipped a tree on the right, sending them flying into the trees on the inside of the turn and scattering mangled Toyota parts all over the place.
Rising Finnish star driver Sami Pajari, making his Rally1 debut, finished a creditable fourth place, 1 minute and 54.5 seconds off the lead. Pajari’s impressive performance highlighted the depth of talent in Finnish rallying.
Just four Rally1 cars made it through the 20 stages, leaving WRC2 winner Oliver Solberg and Elliot Edmondson in fifth overall and a perfect drive.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Juho Hanninen, enjoying a one-off outing in a GR Yaris Rally2, came home in second place ahead of the Skoda Fabia of Lauri Joona and Janni Hussi.
Ogier’s victory, combined with Rovanpera’s retirement, has shaken up the drivers’ championship standings. Neuville now leads with 166 points, followed by Ogier with 138 points.
Rovanpera’s crash leaves him in a precarious position as he attempts to defend his title, now sitting behind Neuville and Ogier in the standings as Evans finds himself further down the rankings, complicating his title chase.
In the manufacturers’ championship, Hyundai has extended its lead to 395 points, 20 points ahead of Toyota.
