Hyundai driver Fourmaux takes the lead at the start of Rally Finland

Adrien Fourmaux completed the first of 20 special stages in a time of 2 minutes 6.7 seconds, finishing 1.1 seconds ahead of Neuville. After the opening day, reigning world champion Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans, who leads the World Championship standings, are tied for second place as the fastest Toyota drivers, 1.2 seconds behind the day’s fastest driver.

Ex-Weltmeister Neuville fühlt sich für die Rallye Finnland in Form

Foto: XPB

Traditionally, the Harju special stage – held in the centre of the host city, Jyväskylä – marked the start of Rally Finland. This opening stage was a comparatively less gruelling challenge compared to the three days still to come, with their wild, full-throttle gravel stages through the forests.

Fourmaux’s best time today therefore does not necessarily indicate how the 2026 Rally Finland will unfold. The leading nine Rally1 crews were separated by just 3.3 seconds.

Weltmeister Sebastien Ogier mit Ersatznavigator Julien Ingrassia

Foto: Red Bull

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Fourmaux had already demonstrated his pace on Thursday morning during the shakedown, finishing second. Takamoto Katsuta had set the fastest time there.

“I really tried to optimise everything,” explained Fourmaux. “I remember that the gaps were so tight on the long stages last year and we lost a fair bit of time on the short stages – so I deliberately pushed myself right to the limit.”

Elfyn Evans teilt sich Platz drei mit Ogier beim Auftakt

Foto: Red Bull

Neuville rounded off a strong opening evening for Hyundai. Ahead of the upcoming forest stages, the former world champion was delighted with the feel of the i20 N Rally1.

“I’m always hungry,” Neuville admitted. “It won’t be easy to win, but we’ll give it a go. The car feels really good to drive. There are lots of new special stages. It’s probably going to be the fastest Rally Finland I’ve ever driven.”

Evans got off to a solid start. As the first car off, he faces the disadvantage of having to sweep the loose gravel off the track on Friday. The Welshman warned that the recent dry weather could make his task considerably more difficult.

Oliver Solberg im Höhenflug

Foto: Red Bull

“It’s probably not going to be ideal, as it’s been a bit too dry,” he admitted. “It is what it is. We’ll just have to make the best of it.”

Nine-time world champion Ogier kept pace at the front on the first special stage, with what is expected to be a one-off return for his long-standing co-driver Julien Ingrassia. Ingrassia is standing in this weekend for regular co-driver Vincent Landais, who has had to pull out for personal reasons.

“I’m delighted that Julien is back by my side. We’ll give it our best shot,” said Ogier.

Takamoto Katsuta finished Thursday in fifth place overall, 1.8 seconds behind the fastest time. Local hero Sami Pajari followed as the top Finn, a tenth of a second behind.

Schnellster WRC2-Fahrer zum Auftakt: Robert Virves

Foto: Red Bull

Monte Carlo Rally winner Oliver Solberg took seventh place. The Swede attributed his deficit to understeer and several minor mistakes. Hyundai part-time driver Esapekka Lappi, M-Sport Ford driver Jon Armstrong and WRC2 leader Robert Virves (Škoda) round off the top ten.

Friday sees the first full day of competition, with two runs through Laukaa, Saarikas, Sydänmaa and Hoho, covering a total of 127.94 special stage kilometres.