Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen have rewritten the FIA World Rally Championship record books, becoming the first crew to claim their first three WRC victories consecutively after conquering the ueno Rally del Paraguay.
The Finnish Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 crew completed the South American gravel challenge 25.8 seconds ahead of Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon and John Kennard, adding Paraguay to their recent victories in Estonia and Finland.
At just 24, Pajari is now firmly in the championship picture. His latest win moves him to 196 points, just 20 behind championship leader Elfyn Evans with three rounds remaining.
Pajari Keeps His Head When the Pressure Hits
The victory was anything but straightforward.
Pajari seized control during a dramatic Friday and carried a 24.1-second advantage into Sunday’s final stages. That margin immediately came under pressure when his lead dropped to 21.5 seconds on the opening test.
Rather than chasing unnecessary speed, Pajari responded with controlled pace and managed the remaining stages to bring the Toyota home.
For the young Finn, that ability to combine speed with restraint has become central to his extraordinary run.
“Building such a reliable car is the key for the success. It’s a really proud moment and I’m really happy.”
Pajari said after securing the win
The result is also a significant statement from Toyota as the championship enters its final three rounds. Pajari’s consistency has transformed him from a rising talent into a genuine title threat.
Paddon Proves the Doubters Wrong
Behind Pajari, Hayden Paddon delivered one of the weekend’s biggest personal performances.
The New Zealander returned to top-level WRC gravel competition for the first time since 2018 and immediately showed that his pace had not disappeared.
Paddon led on Friday and remained Pajari’s closest challenger throughout the rally, eventually securing second place with a performance that carried plenty of emotional weight.
“A lot of people had written us off, but a lot of people believed in me and we believed in ourselves,”.
Paddon said
His message was simple: never give up.
After years away from the highest level of gravel rallying, a podium in Paraguay gives Paddon and Hyundai plenty to build on.
Fourmaux’s Fightback Steals Third
Adrien Fourmaux completed the podium after producing a spectacular recovery drive.
The Frenchman ended Friday 1 minute 51.3 seconds away from the lead following his early troubles. Instead of allowing the deficit to define his weekend, Fourmaux attacked Saturday and clawed his way back into contention.
By Sunday morning, he was just 3.3 seconds behind championship leader Elfyn Evans.
Fourmaux then moved ahead on the opening stage and held on to third, finishing 40.0 seconds behind Pajari and 5.1 seconds ahead of Evans.
From nearly two minutes behind to a podium finish, Fourmaux’s weekend became a masterclass in recovery.
Evans nevertheless retains the championship lead with 216 points, while Pajari’s 196 points have dramatically tightened the fight. Oliver Solberg remains third on 175 points after finishing fifth and taking victory in the Wolf Power Stage.
Domínguez Delivers a Home Rally Dream
Paraguay had another reason to celebrate.
Diego Domínguez and Rogelio Peñate won WRC2 and finished an impressive seventh overall, delivering a hugely popular home victory.
Domínguez finished 22.7 seconds ahead of Gus Greensmith, with fellow Paraguayan Alejandro Galanti completing the WRC2 podium.
The victory carried an especially personal meaning for Domínguez, who had received a good-luck message from Paraguayan President Santiago Peña before the rally.
“This one is for all of them,” an emotional Domínguez said, dedicating the result particularly to his father for helping him continue his rally career.
South America Hosts the Next Championship Battle
The WRC now stays in South America for Rally Chile Bio Bío from 10–13 September.
With Evans leading Pajari by only 20 points and Solberg still within striking distance, the championship is entering its decisive phase.
Pajari’s Paraguay hat-trick has changed the conversation.
He is no longer simply chasing his first major WRC breakthrough. The Finn is now chasing the championship itself.
Rally Classification
- Sami Pajari / Marko Salminen – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – 3:13:28.5
- Hayden Paddon / John Kennard – Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – +25.8s
- Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria – Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – +40.0s
- Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +45.1s
- Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +2:57.0
- Josh McErlean / Eoin Treacy – Ford Puma Rally1 – +4:19.0
Drivers’ Championship After Round 11 of 14
- Elfyn Evans – 216 points
- Sami Pajari – 196 points
- Oliver Solberg – 175 points