Juha Kankkunen on Rally Estonia: Full-Throttle Attack!

Pulse Sports Team 17:30 - 13 July 2026

With six rounds remaining in the 2026 World Rally Championship season, the Toyota factory team is all but guaranteed the manufacturers' title. The Japanese squad holds a commanding 146-point lead over Hyundai, despite the Koreans securing only one victory in the first eight rallies this year. This weekend's Rally Estonia, the ninth round of the WRC season, promises an intriguing battle between Toyota and Hyundai, with the pressure firmly on the chasing team.

Toyota traditionally performs strongly in Estonia. The event has been part of the World Rally Championship since the COVID-affected 2020 season, when local hero Ott Tänak claimed victory for Hyundai. However, since then, Toyota drivers have dominated, winning the rally four times. Kalle Rovanperä secured three consecutive wins before Oliver Solberg's sensational triumph last season, which marked the Swede's debut in a Toyota Rally1 car.

"As a team, we always look forward to this part of the season and these very fast rallies in Estonia and Finland. Of course, Finland is our home rally, but Estonia is also a place where we have a good history and good results," stated Toyota's Deputy Team Principal, Juha Kankkunen.

Solberg is likely to be a strong contender once again in the high-speed event, while the in-form Sami Pajari is also expected to be among the front-runners. All eyes will also be on Sébastien Ogier, who returns to a high-speed gravel rally for the first time in a while, to see what pace he can demonstrate.

"All our drivers love driving on fast roads and can be strong there; Oliver achieved an incredible victory last year, and Takamoto and Sami are in very good form," added four-time world champion Kankkunen. "In Greece, Rally Acropolis was more of a battle for survival and tire management, but now we have fast stages ahead, which means full-throttle attack!"

Rally Estonia kicks off on Friday afternoon. The high-speed event features 18 special stages, covering a competitive distance of just over 300 kilometers.