WRC Paraguay: Sami Pajari extends lead as storm damages service park
Toyota’s Sami Pajari has extended his Rally Paraguay lead to 22.8s as the anticipated heavy rain avoided the stages and instead struck the service park causing damage to several team facilities. Heavy rain was expected which prompted teams to set up their cars for wet conditions, and it appeared to be the correct call as strong winds and heavy rain struck the service park on Saturday ... Keep…
Toyota driver Sami Pajari has widened his Rally Paraguay lead to 22.8 seconds, as heavy rain stayed away from the racing stages but caused damage to the service park. Teams had prepared for wet conditions, but strong winds and rain struck the service park on Saturday morning, toppling tents and structures. Pajari, now leading by 22.8 seconds, managed to shave time off his rival Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon on three of the four stages to return to service with a healthy lead.
Pajari experienced a scare in Stage 11 when he ran wide in a ditch, damaging the rear wing of his Toyota GR Yaris. Despite the damage, he said it was not a significant issue. Paddon, in his Hyundai i20 N, struggled on the wet gravel stages and lost time to Pajari, who had set up his car for wet conditions. Championship leader Elfyn Evans won Stage 9, holding a 54.1-second gap to Pajari.
M-Sport-Ford’s Josh McErlean claimed two of the four morning stages, but was far behind the leaders. Home hero Diego Dominguez leads the WRC2 standings in seventh overall.
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