This Thursday, Estonian Ott Tänak (M-Sport Ford) set the fastest time on the first special of the Estonian WRC rally. But it is the Briton Elfyn Evans (Toyota) who takes control of the general classification.
Let’s go for the 2023 edition of the Estonian WRC rally. This Thursday evening took place the first special of this event, counting for the world championship of the specialty. This SS1 was won by Estonian Ott Tänak, who set the fastest time at the wheel of his M-Sport Ford.
However, the driver’s name does not appear at the level of the top 5 of the general classification. The fault of the five-minute penalty received by the current fourth in the WRC world championship standings during the shakedown, which took place earlier in the same day on Thursday. A penalty received due to a forced change of engine on his car, after this famous shakedown.
Rovanperä to confirm its dominance
It would therefore now be a miracle if Tänak managed to triumph at home this year. At the top of the general classification, we find the Briton Elfyn Evans, driving his Toyota. The rest of this event will take place this Friday, to officially end this Sunday.
On this occasion, the Finnish Kalle Rovanperä, now only 22 years old and reigning world champion in the specialty, will have the opportunity to try to increase his lead a little more at the top of the world championship classification in the discipline. In a rally he knows perfectly well, having even won it last season.
RALLY – WRC / ESTONIA
Ranking at the end of SS1 (out of 21) – Thursday July 20, 2023
1- Elfyn Evans – Scott Martin (GBR-GBR/Toyota) in 3’03”1
2- Esapekka Lappi – Janne Ferm (FIN-FIN/Hyundai) mt
3- Kalle Rovanperä – Jonne Halttunen (FIN-FIN/Toyota) à 0”1
4- Thierry Neuville – Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL-BEL/Hyundai) at 1”0
5- Takamoto Katsuta – Aaron Johnston (JAP-IRL/Toyota) at 2”6
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7- Pierre Louis Loubet – Nicolas Gilsoul (FROM-BEL/Ford M-Sport) at 4”4
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Stage winners
Thanks : 1 (ES1)
