After a good start in the first short stage won by Neuville T. / Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1), there followed a collapse in the standings all the way to 8th position.
Tänak Ott / Järveoja M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) took the lead in the first stages of Rally Finland 2022. One of the long SS 5 - Lankamaa 2 stages of almost 22 km was canceled due to public safety.
After stage 6, Tanak's lead was only 6.2 seconds ahead of Lappi Esapekka / Ferm Janne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1).
After the end of Day 1, the 10th stage, Tanak continued to lead, just 3.8 seconds ahead of Lappi.
Evans Elfyn / Martin Scott (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) and Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) are fighting for third place, the difference between them being only 1.7 seconds.
Today, the race took place in heavy rain on stage number 12 Rapsula 1 (20.56 km), where many drivers complained of aquaplaning at high speeds.
In these conditions, Evans Elfyn / Martin Scott (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) lost 3rd position, but are only 7 tenths behind Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), who moved up to 3rd. An accident took out Breen Craig / Nagle Paul (Ford Puma Rally1) who were running in 5th place.
In stage number 16 Rapsula 2, Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) managed to dislodge Lappi Esapekka / Ferm Janne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) from second position, closing to within 11.5 seconds of the leaders.
By the end of the day, no changes at the front with a small lead of 8.4 seconds remaining Ott / Järveoja M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1). They are followed by Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) and the third position is for Lappi Esapekka / Ferm Janne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) at 35.2 seconds.
Evans Elfyn / Martin Scott (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) not only lost third position but also lost a lot of time and are 1:19.7 behind the leaders.
First in RC2 are Suninen Teemu / Markkula Mikko (Hyundai i20 N Rally2).
On the last day - Sunday, 4 more speed stages remain.