Rally Finland’s speeds pushed cars past limits, sparking a crash‑ripple of concern
Thierry Neuville slammed the second‑fastest Rally Finland, noting “the average speeds were 145 km/h, 147 km/h – an unacceptable surge that dented the event’s safety.”
The 2024 edition logged an overall mean of 128.2 km/h, barely eclipsed by last year’s record, yet still setting a new benchmark for speed and risk on gravel.
With 66 % of stages differing from the previous year and no virtual chicanes, drivers felt the roads offered straight‑line velocity that indulged every aerodynamic advantage.
Fields shattered, foes fallen: the record of damaged vehicles tells the story
Neuville’s front‑left suspension was compromised after a wide exit on stage five, yet his crash paled compared to the teeter‑tumble of Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Martins Sesks, and Esapekka Lappi, all of whom found wheels rolled.
Team‑mate Adrien Fourmaux highlighted seven cars damaged, leaving only Sami Pajari, Oliver Solberg, and himself intact, attributing the fragility to inconsistent grip and a harder surface that impeded tyre traction.
Jon Armstrong of M‑Sport Ford cautioned that tighter competition forces “risks in more places” as drivers chase fraction‑of‑a‑second margins.
Perspectives differ: speed defenders, safety advocates and the call for chicanes
Elfyn Evans dismissed the “too fast” remark, insisting chicanes would not change the condition, while noting that relentless acceleration remains part of modern rally culture.
Armstrong argued that high speeds above 150 km/h should be balanced by helmet safety, and suggested minor stage modifications could temper the escalation without stripping Finland of its allure.
Collectively, the voices echo the tension between the thrill of speed and the imperative to protect crews on unforgiving gravel.
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