Most recent winner · Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 (2026)
First held
2010
Surface
High-speed forest gravel roads
Most recent winner
Sami Pajari Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 (2026)
Fast forest gravelPajari’s first win50-hour schedule
About the rally
Rally Estonia was founded in 2010 and first entered the WRC in 2020 amid pandemic-related calendar changes. Based in Tartu, the 2026 event planned 18 stages covering 301.80 kilometres in a compact 50-hour schedule.
Southern forest gravel roads combine fast corner sequences, jumps and blind crests. Dry loose gravel in 2026 required early starters to sweep the road, with conditions changing as cars passed.
In 2026, Pajari took his maiden victory, winning all seven Friday stages. Rovanperä and Solberg had also claimed their first WRC wins here in 2021 and 2025 respectively.
Rally history
Founded in 2010: Beginning as a national rally, the event rapidly built a reputation for strong organisation and fast stages.
First WRC appearance in 2020: Pandemic-related calendar reshuffling made Estonia a WRC round after competition resumed, with local driver Tänak winning.
The Rovanperä era: Rovanperä took his maiden victory here in 2021, becoming the youngest WRC winner at the time. Further wins in 2022 and 2023 completed three in a row.
Calendar return in 2025: Returning after a year away, Estonia again witnessed history as Solberg took his maiden win in a Toyota.
Pajari takes over in 2026: For the second year running and the third time overall, a driver achieved his first career win here, spreading its reputation as a home of maiden victories.
Rally characteristics
High-speed forest gravel: Fast corner sequences, crests and jumps demand accurate execution of pace notes, while road position and loose gravel also affect times.
Jumps and crests: Repeated jumps and blind crests continually remove the view ahead, making trust in the pace notes decisive in how far drivers can push.
Compact format: The 2026 event used a compact 50-hour schedule for the first time, posing new demands on drivers’ fitness and team logistics.
A first-win event: Rovanperä, Solberg and Pajari took their first WRC victories here in 2021, 2025 and 2026 respectively.
2026 WRC Rally Estonia · Data review
2026-7-19, Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen took their first WRC victory in Estonia with a time of 2h 31m 16.5s, finishing 19.5 seconds ahead of Solberg. Adrien Fourmaux was third, 53.8 seconds behind the winner. The event was based in Tartu.
Overall results · Top three
Position
Driver
Car
Total time / gap to winner
1
Sami Pajari
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
2:31:16.5
2
Oliver Solberg
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
+19.5 s
3
Adrien Fourmaux
Hyundai i20 N Rally1
+53.8 s
Event highlights
Seven wins from seven on Friday: Pajari won all seven Friday stages before Solberg ended his streak on Saturday’s opener. He then extended his overall advantage to 25.0 seconds, with the margin standing at 19.5 seconds at Sunday’s finish. Solberg recovered 5.5 seconds on the last day, but Pajari retained victory.
The rally winner and Sunday bonuses: Pajari won overall, while Solberg took both Super Sunday and the Power Stage bonus classifications. Fourmaux was third at 53.8 seconds behind the winner and Neuville fourth at 59.7, an actual gap of 5.9 seconds between them.
A first-win venue for three drivers: Rovanperä in 2021, Solberg in 2025 and Pajari in 2026 each took their first WRC round victory in Estonia. Pajari won the WRC2 title in 2024 and had five podiums in the previous eight rounds of 2026; his first win continued that upward trajectory.
Event facts at a glance
Item
Data
Location
Tartu, Estonia
2026 planned stages
18 stages (2026)
2026 planned stage distance
301.80 km
Surface type
High-speed forest gravel roads
First held
2010 (first WRC appearance in 2020)
Most recent winner
Sami Pajari (Toyota, 2026)
2026 event record
Pajari’s first WRC round victory
Also known as
A home of first wins · Nordic high-speed corridor
Founded in 2010, the event first joined the WRC in 2020 during pandemic-related calendar reshuffling. In 2026 it used a compact 50-hour schedule from Friday to Sunday, planning 18 stages and 301.80 kilometres.
Information updated: 2026-10-3
Rally data
Stages18 (planned)
Total stage distance301.80 km (planned)
SurfaceHigh-speed forest gravel roads
Most recent winnerSami PajariToyota GR Yaris Rally1 (2026)
