Rally Islas Canarias: A Chance for New WRC Winner

Rally Islas Canarias: A Chance for New WRC Winner

The 2026 World Rally Championship is heating up as the Rally Islas Canarias approaches, with Sami Pajari eyeing his first WRC victory. After witnessing Takamoto Katsuta's recent successes, including his maiden win at the Safari Rally Kenya and another triumph in Croatia, Pajari is determined to join the ranks of WRC winners this weekend.

Pajari, who has come close to victory on multiple occasions, is feeling the pressure and excitement as he prepares for the event. The 24-year-old driver has shown impressive form, leading stages in previous rallies only to be thwarted by unfortunate circumstances such as punctures. His recent performance in Croatia saw him lead for 12 stages before a tire issue forced him to change wheels, ultimately finishing in second place.

"To be on the podium is always nice, and I have three third positions and now a second for the first time, so of course I need to be happy about that," Pajari stated. "At the same time, there is still some hunger left as we were holding the lead for such a long time and then it was taken away. So, there is more hunger for the coming rallies."

The Rally Islas Canarias is known for its smooth asphalt roads, which Pajari believes will suit his driving style. "I’m really looking forward to Rally Islas Canarias: it’s one of my favorite rallies. The character is totally different from Croatia, which is somewhere I would not have expected to do so well. Still, we managed to lead a lot of the rally and finish second there. On paper, I think the Canaries can suit us even better."

Pajari's confidence is bolstered by his previous experience on the island, where he demonstrated strong pace last year. He is optimistic that the cleaner roads will enhance his performance, allowing him to push for that elusive first win.

Meanwhile, Pajari is not the only driver looking to make a mark in the Canary Islands. Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux, who has also been on the verge of victory, faces a different challenge. With Hyundai struggling to match Toyota's pace this season, Fourmaux acknowledges the need for perfection to extract the maximum performance from his car on the high-grip asphalt of the Canary Islands.

"Rally Islas Canarias will be very different from the tarmac rallies we have had so far this year. We don't expect any dirt on the road – it will be very clean, very high grip – and that means it will demand a big push in terms of both car and driver performance," Fourmaux explained.

As the rally weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Pajari and Fourmaux, along with other contenders like Jon Armstrong, who are all vying for their first WRC victory. The stage is set for an exciting showdown in the beautiful backdrop of the Canary Islands, where new champions may emerge.