Motorsport · WRC · 2026

Date & time

30 Aug 2026, 19:15

Round

11

Location

Encarnacion, Paraguay

Sami Pajari has won the inaugural WRC ueno Rally del Paraguay 2026. Driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing in his GR Yaris Rally1, the Finn claimed a sensational third consecutive FIA World Rally Championship victory on Sunday, 30 August 2026. He overcame punishing gravel roads and unpredictable weather conditions around Encarnación to secure his hat-trick. The event proved heavily abrasive on tyres. Top contenders like Elfyn Evans suffered severe setbacks due to multiple punctures, while drivers like Takamoto Katsuta suffered crashes that forced stage alterations late in the event. Historical Milestone: Spanning 22 special stages, the 2026 iteration marked the first time Paraguay featured as a full point-scoring round of the World Rally Championship, making it the longest rally of the 2026 season.