Sami Pajari is staging a decisive World Rally Championship showdown in Sardinia, chasing pure driving glory after a tyre blunder in Chile cost Evans points.
Drivers eye a clean finish
In the final 35‑point sprint of the season, the Finnish rookie trails champion Elfyn Evans by 17 points and looks to surpass him on Sardinia’s gravel stages. Team‑mate Oliver Solberg, four points behind the Finn, also has a title to chase, making the rally a four‑way contest in all‑critical stages.
“I’m aware this isn’t the best position,” Pajari said, “but I will give everything I can. It’s up to us to make the finish a pure driving decision.” He added that a puncture in Chile’s penultimate stage had dented Evans’ hopes, heightening the stakes for all three contenders.
FIA amends tyre allocation
Tyre failures in Paraguay prompted the FIA to hand every Rally1 car a larger kit: 40 tyres, up from 28 in Chile, and replace the well‑known 2‑swap rule with a tiered zone system. On Friday and Saturday crews can swap two tyres at refuel zones 2.5, 7 and 10, while a full four‑tyre exchange will operate at zone 13 before the final two stages on Sunday.
Team staff are limited to four per manufacturer inside the exchange zones. Members can only provide tyres; other tools or parts are barred. By controlling the number of personnel, the FIA intends to level the playing field and reduce mechanical drama.
Toyota’s strategy for a maiden title
For Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, a win would mark the first ever world title for the firm’s GR Yaris Rally1. With Evans already secured at the top of the standings, the Finnish driver’s focus is on out‑driving both his rival and the potential title‑clash from Solberg.
“We are all very close, every point matters,” said the 22‑year‑old. “The rally is tricky; tyre issues can turn a run quickly. We’ll do our best, rely on the car and hope for a touch of luck.”
Technical focus: tyres and reliability
Hankook’s 36 tyres at Chile and the added spare in Sardinia were welcomed by crews. The new policy aims to mitigate the risk that decimated a last‑minute decision for teams throughout the final two rounds.
“The update is a welcome change,” claimed one tyre supplier. “It gives teams a clear backup to deal with unpredictable stages.” The high‑profile tyre changes underscore how essential equipment stability is for a title that rests on fine margins.
Heading toward finish line
As the rally unfolds, the title race will be determined not just by speed but by how each contender manages the new tyre rules. The Sardinian gravel promises a test of skill, strategy, and the remaining stretch of the season’s 35‑point climax. Each driver knows a single mistake on these stages could set the championship order for the future.
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