With just three rounds remaining in Chile, Italy and Saudi Arabia, the championship has become one of the most exciting stories of the season. At the centre of it is a remarkable young Finnish star, Sami Pajari, whose sensational run of form has transformed the title fight.
Pajari has now achieved something truly special.
After winning Rally Estonia, the young Toyota driver followed it with an emotional home victory at Rally Finland. Now, after conquering the demanding roads of Paraguay, Pajari has secured his third consecutive WRC victory, completing an extraordinary winning streak at one of the most important moments of the season.
Three rallies. Three victories. And suddenly, the championship picture has completely changed.
Before Paraguay, championship leader Elfyn Evans had been trying to maintain control at the top of the standings. But Pajari’s remarkable momentum has brought him closer than ever. Evans remains the championship leader with 216 points, while Pajari has climbed to 196 points, leaving just 20 points between the two drivers. Behind them, Oliver Solberg sits third with 175 points, ensuring that the championship fight remains intense as the season heads towards its final three events.
The next stop is Rally Chile Bio Bío, scheduled for September 10–13. The championship will then move to Rally Italia Sardegna from October 1–4 before the 2026 season reaches its dramatic conclusion in Saudi Arabia from November 12–15.
For Pajari, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Only a short time ago, he was still chasing his breakthrough victory at the highest level of the World Rally Championship. Now, the 24-year-old has become one of the most dangerous drivers in the field and a genuine contender for the biggest prize in rallying.
His victories in Estonia and Finland had already announced his arrival among the sport’s elite, with Finland especially emotional as he won on home soil. But Paraguay has taken the story to another level, delivering a third straight victory and reducing the gap to championship leader Evans to just 20 points.
However, the championship is not decided yet. Three rallies remain, and in the World Rally Championship, anything can happen. Chile will present another major challenge, followed by the demanding gravel roads of Sardinia. Then comes Saudi Arabia, where the championship will finally be decided on the challenging desert terrain.
For Evans, the mission is clear: protect the championship lead and finally turn consistency into a world title.
For Pajari, the challenge is equally clear: keep winning.
And for Solberg, sitting 41 points behind Evans, the dream is still alive. A strong finish to the season could bring further drama to an already unpredictable championship battle.
The pressure will now increase with every stage kilometre, a puncture, mechanical problem, crash or costly mistake could completely change the championship standings. That is what makes the final three rounds so fascinating. 
One thing is certain: Sami Pajari has changed the story of the 2026 WRC season. From a promising young talent to a driver capable of winning three consecutive rallies, Pajari has announced himself as one of the future—and perhaps the present—of world rallying.
Now the championship heads to Chile, Three rounds remain, twenty points separate the top two and one of the most exciting WRC title battles in recent memory is only just getting started.
Chile. Italy. Saudi Arabia.
The road to the 2026 World Rally Championship title is wide open.
