Rallying-Pajari wins every stage on first day in Estonia

FILE PHOTO: Sami Pajari, Finland, with co-driver Marko Salminen, Finland, compete in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 during Bygdsiljum 2 during Rally Sweden, the second round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Umea, Sweden, February, 14, 2026. TT News Agency/Peo Moller/via REUTERS/File Photo

July 17 (Reuters) - Toyota's ⁠Sami Pajari led Rally Estonia on ⁠Friday after winning all seven stages ‌of the opening leg.

The Finn was 14.7 seconds clear of second placed Swedish teammate Oliver Solberg, ​with Hyundai's Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux ⁠a close third ⁠over the mostly gravel stages.

"I didn't have any ⁠moments, ‌and it seems under control," said Pajari. "I'm pushing all I ⁠can. I'm just trying to enjoy it. ​This ‌was proper action, a super-nice day."

Hyundai's Thierry ⁠Neuville ​was in fourth place, ahead of Toyota's reigning nine-times world champion Sebastien Ogier who ⁠was competing in the event ​for the first time since 2021.

Japan's Takamoto Katsuta retired for the day before the final ⁠stage after suffering a front left tyre delamination.

Toyota's championship leader Elfyn Evans had the disadvantage of opening the road and ​was languishing in ninth ⁠place and 49.8 seconds adrift of Pajari.

Evans ​is 11 points clear ‌of Katsuta after eight ​of 14 rounds.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in Spa-Francorchamps, BelgiumEditing by Christian Radnedge)