Day three of the 2024 WRC Rally Finland saw Kalle Rovanperä of the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team extend his lead, capitalizing on the longest competitive day of the event. Heading into the final day, Rovanperä holds a significant 44.2-second advantage over teammate Sébastien Ogier, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to his home rally.
Rally Finland's third day took competitors through classic stages southwest of Jyväskylä, particularly highlighting the legendary Ouninpohja stage for the first time since 2017. This stage proved to be the longest of the rally at 32.98 kilometers, testing the drivers’ skills and endurance. Beginning the day, Rovanperä managed to establish a narrow eight-second lead over fellow driver Elfyn Evans, ultimately winning all three stages of the morning loop.
"It was quite a long and difficult day. In the morning we had a lot of rain and muddy conditions but we kept pushing and our driving remained clean – that was the main thing," said Kalle Rovanperä. "The 0.1s gap in Ouninpohja this morning between myself and Seb shows that both of us were driving quite fast and there was not much margin left!" Rovanperä noted that the improved setup in the afternoon allowed him to feel more comfortable in the car, achieving even better stage times.
Despite Rovanperä's success, the day was not without its challenges for the team. Evans faced a setback in the second stage, where a damaged driveshaft forced him to nurse his car back to service. "This morning started off pretty OK but in the second stage, coming into a junction, we lost drive to one of the wheels and we spun around," Evans explained. After a repair at the service, his car suffered further complications, resulting in a 2m40s penalty for exceeding the service time limit. Finishing the day outside of the points, Evans’ car was ultimately retired, though he plans to return under restart rules for the final day.
Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed a mix of emotions regarding the day’s outcomes. "On the one hand, a one-two at the end of Saturday is good news for the team but the problem on Elfyn’s car was not; there were some really important, valuable points lost for him today," Latvala commented. He noted that the performance from all drivers was commendable, with younger drivers Sami Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta turning in admirable performances on their home turf.
In spite of Evans' struggles, the team is still in a strong position to maximize their efforts in the manufacturer's championship. With Rovanperä and Ogier finishing the day in the top two slots, fans are eager to see how the final stages will unfold.
"We tried to keep it safe today and confirm a one-two for the team," said Sébastien Ogier. He described the difficulties faced in the morning, particularly with slippery conditions exacerbated by rain. "Ouninpohja was amazing but the other two stages were still wet from rain showers and had slippery conditions. You can’t enjoy those sections so much but we made it through those, did the job needed."
Looking ahead, Rovanperä knows challenges remain as he gears up for the final showdown. "Tomorrow will still be quite tricky, especially the Laajavuori Power Stage, but we’ll try to do our best and bring it home," he concluded, focusing on maintaining his lead and securing victory in front of his home crowd.
As the teams prepare for the final day of competition, all eyes will be on Rovanperä as he aims to crown his efforts with a victory in Rally Finland 2024. The excitement and tension are palpable, with maximum championship points still up for grabs, making tomorrow’s conclusion a must-watch for rally fans worldwide.
