Evans extends WRC lead despite sixth-place finish in Estonia

Elfyn Evans finished sixth at Delfi Rally Estonia but still extended his World Rally Championship lead, taking eight points from the weekend to move 15 clear of his nearest rival.

The win went to Finland's Sami Pajari, who claimed his first WRC victory alongside co-driver and compatriot Marko Salminen. The result lifted Pajari to third in the championship standings.

Evans and co-driver Scott Martin completed the 18 stages, which began on Friday, just over two minutes behind Pajari. Sweden's Oliver Solberg and British co-driver Elliott Edmondson took second, with Adrien Fourmaux third, Thierry Neuville fourth and Sebastien Ogier fifth.

Championship picture

Japan's Takamoto Katsuta held on to second place in the title standings despite a 21st-place finish in Estonia. Evans, a five-time WRC runner-up still chasing a first title, now leads the standings by 15 points from Katsuta, with Pajari moving up to third.

• Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen took their maiden WRC win in Estonia
• Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin were sixth, just over two minutes back
• Evans gained eight points and leads the championship by 15 points
• Takamoto Katsuta stayed second overall after finishing 21st
• Five rallies remain this season, starting in Finland from 30 July to 2 August

Further down the order, Motorsport Ireland's Jon Armstrong came home ninth, while his fellow countryman Josh McErlean ended the event 43rd, a round after recording a best-ever fourth in Greece.

What's next

Attention now turns to the final five rallies of the season, beginning in Finland from 30 July to 2 August. That run-in will decide the title, with Evans holding the advantage but Katsuta and Pajari both firmly in contention.