Watch WRC Rally Finland — Shakedown Free.

What's at Stake

The shakedown session of Rally Finland, famously dubbed the 'Grand Prix of Gravel', serves as the crucial final opportunity for teams to fine-tune their high-speed setups before the competitive action begins. On these ultra-fast forest roads, finding the perfect balance for the car's aerodynamics and suspension is vital for driver confidence over the legendary, blind crests and massive jumps. A successful shakedown run establishes immediate momentum and vital baseline data for a rally where split-second margins dictate the World Rally Championship title race.

Form Guide

Heading into this iconic event, the championship battle has intensified with high-speed gravel specialists showing formidable pace in recent rounds. Teams have focused heavily on suspension compliance and dampers during pre-event testing to cope with the unique demands of the Finnish terrain. Drivers who have historically excelled on fast, flowing roads carry significant momentum, while those struggling with confidence at high speeds look to use this session to bridge the gap to the frontrunners.

Key Players to Watch

• Kalle Rovanperä — The local hero and double world champion always carries immense speed on his home soil and will look to set the benchmark pace early.
• Ott Tänak — Known for his fearless commitment on high-speed gravel, the Estonian driver has a stellar record in Finland and remains a constant threat.
• Elfyn Evans — A previous winner of this event, his smooth driving style and precise car control make him a prime contender to master the fast forest stages.

Prediction

Expect the local specialists to dominate the timesheets, with Kalle Rovanperä topping the shakedown standings as he dials in his car's setup perfectly for the opening stages. Toyota and Hyundai will likely trade fastest sector times, but the local drivers' familiarity with the high-speed crests will give them the edge. This session will ultimately confirm that the rally victory will be decided by mere tenths of a second across the weekend.