Finland’s WRC rally sees slight drop in entries, Finnish drivers still strong in top classes

This year’s Finland WRC rally has attracted 61 crews, down from 65 in 2025, Yle reports.

The top-tier WRC1 class will field 11 cars: five Toyotas, three Hyundais, and three M-Sport Fords. Finns Sami Pajari (Toyota) and Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai) will compete in WRC1. Lappi, a one-time Finland winner in 2017, returns as a Hyundai guest driver. Kalle Rovanperä remains the only other Finnish winner since, taking victory in 2025.

WRC2 has 32 entries, with a strong Finnish presence including Roope Korhonen, Jari-Matti Latvala, Teemu Suninen, Emil Lindholm, Lauri Joona, Mikko Heikkilä, and Tuukka Kauppinen. Korhonen currently leads the WRC2 standings. Rally director Kai Tarkiainen noted Latvala’s WRC2 entry came as a mild surprise, though industry rumors had circulated. Latvala has raced five historic rallies and one North American event this year.

Tarkiainen attributes the overall drop in entries to a decline in the junior WRC field, which lost 11 crews. He suggests economic pressures disproportionately affect young drivers struggling to secure budgets compared to established WRC2 competitors.

The 75th-anniversary event, held in Central Finland from 30 July to 2 August 2026, will feature added celebrations, including a midweek parade in Jyväskylä showcasing current and historic rally cars.