WRC extends Rally Finland contract until 2031

WRC Promoter confirmed the contract renewal with AKK Sports for five more years, securing the Rally Finland's place in the FIA World Rally Championship calendar until 2031. The agreement was formalized during Sunday's podium ceremony, coinciding with the first home victory for Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen.

The Finnish event maintains its status as the championship's fastest round, taking place on the gravel roads of the Jyväskylä region with its characteristic jumps and blind corners that demand absolute precision. Simon Larkin, Senior Event Director at WRC Promoter, described Rally Finland as "a pillar of the FIA World Rally Championship, with incredible historical importance in motorsport annals."

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Record audiences in Finnish territory

The 2025 edition attracted significant crowds to the Jyväskylä region, reflecting the Nordic country's rally passion. TV ratings support this enthusiasm: up to two million viewers follow each WRC round through the national broadcaster MTV, positioning Finland among the championship's most valuable markets.

Kimmo Vainio, CEO of AKK Sports, explained that discussions revealed "a very similar understanding of what the audience expects, both now and in the future." The executive added that "a solid foundation for continued collaboration" between both organizations became clear.

Toyota's historic dominance on Finnish soil

The August 1-3, 2025 edition witnessed an unprecedented result: Toyota achieved a 1-2-3-4-5 finish with its GR Yaris Rally1 units. Elfyn Evans led the final classification, followed by Kalle Rovanperä, Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari as a guest with a customer unit.

The Rally Finland has been part of the WRC since the inaugural 1973 season, though its history dates back to 1951 when it was first held as Jyväskylän Suurajot. Except for 2020 due to the pandemic, it has maintained a constant presence in the world calendar, establishing itself as one of the events with the longest continuity.

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Iconic stages like Ouninpohja, Ruuhimäki, and Laukaa have forged the event's reputation as the championship's fastest round, with average speeds exceeding 120 km/h in multiple editions. The technical setup requires long-travel suspensions to absorb the jumps, while pace notes must be the most detailed of the year due to limited visibility and high speeds.