The 2026 World Rally Championship arrives at Rally Estonia with an unusual sight at the top of the standings: every one of the first five places belongs to Toyota. Elfyn Evans leads the way, 11 points clear of team-mate Takamoto Katsuta, with eight-time champion Sébastien Ogier third — 37 points off the lead despite winning last time out at the Acropolis. Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg complete a clean sweep of the top five for the Gazoo Racing squad.
Round nine, the Delfi Rally Estonia, runs from 17-19 July over 301.8 competitive kilometres of some of the fastest gravel roads on the calendar — flowing, jump-strewn stages where hundredths matter and commitment is everything.
"Estonia should be more of a flat-out fight," said Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen, adding that "all of our drivers enjoy driving on fast roads."
For Evans, the priority is carrying momentum without over-reaching. "It's important to find a good feeling and prepare the car as well as possible for these events," the championship leader said.
Ogier, who is again contesting only a partial campaign, remains one of the favourites whenever he appears. "It's one of the most spectacular rallies of the season, and a well-organised event with great atmosphere," he said. Solberg, in his first full factory season, shares the enthusiasm: "It's a really cool rally that I've always enjoyed: with the high speeds, massive jumps and excited fans."
Katsuta, who reaches 100 WRC starts this weekend, knows the margins are unforgiving. "You have to be very committed in Estonia, especially on the second pass when the road gets rutted," he said. Pajari, meanwhile, is relishing home-region terrain. "Estonia and Finland are my favourite ones on the calendar," he said, adding that his starting position "should allow us to be in the fight."
The pressure falls on Hyundai, whose drivers sit outside that Toyota-dominated top five and need points fast. Thierry Neuville is bullish after strong recent gravel form. "We're heading into Estonia with confidence after two gravel rallies where we have consistently shown strong pace and fought for victory," he said. "Our goal is clear: to fight for victory and score a lot of points to fight back in the championship."
Adrien Fourmaux expects a very different test to the punishing Acropolis. "Estonia is a completely different challenge to Acropolis," he said. "Instead of rough, slow and technical roads, you're straight into some of the fastest stages on the calendar." A clean, consistent weekend, he added, should let him be competitive.
There is an emotional note for Esapekka Lappi, who returns to the i20 N Rally1 for a final time before Hyundai retires the current car. "I am very much looking forward to being back in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 again, especially as it will be the last outing of this car," he said. "My hope is to be fighting higher than the top five."
With road-position advantages shifting through the weekend and Estonia's blind crests punishing the smallest error, Toyota's grip on the championship looks commanding — but on stages this fast, one mistake can rewrite the order in seconds.
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*Originally published on [Motorsports Global](https://motorsports.global/article/toyota-locks-out-wrc-top-five-as-rally-estonia-looms). Visit for full coverage.*