Sami Pajari wins Paraguay Rally Stage 1, takes overall lead

Finnish driver Sami Pajari has taken the lead in the 2026 Rally of Paraguay after winning the opening stage. Pajari, who is currently second in the World Rally Championship standings, capitalized on a tire problem for rival Elfyn Evans to secure the victory.

Pajari, navigated by his compatriot Marko Salminen, finished the stage 11.9 seconds ahead of New Zealand's Hayden Paddon of Hyundai Motorsport. Elfyn Evans, another driver for the Japanese team, completed the podium in third place, 56.3 seconds behind the leader. Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai Motorsport was fourth, followed by Joshua Mcerlean, Diego Domínguez Bejarano, Gus Greensmith, Oliver Solberg, Marco Bulacia, and Romet Jurgenson rounding out the top 10.

Paraguayan driver Diego Domínguez Bejarano had a strong performance, finishing sixth overall and winning the Rally2 category for the stage. He was 2 minutes and 36 seconds behind Pajari. Domínguez, the 2024 WRC3 champion, was the fastest in four of the eight special stages. Other local drivers also saw success, with Fau Zaldivar winning one stage and Gustavo Saba being fastest in another. Yohan Rossel was also fastest in two stages.

The first stage also saw 15 retirements, including seven Paraguayan drivers: Fabrizio Galanti, Arturo Ortiz, Iván Wasmosy, Armando Medina, Matías Domínguez, Sebastián González, and Marcelo González, most of whom experienced mechanical issues. Other notable retirements included Takamoto Katsuta and Thierry Neuville.