Starting Saturday third, and almost half a minute off the lead, Sami Pajari would never have expected to lead his home round of the World Rally Championship into the final day.
Yet the Rally Estonia winner goes to bed with a 46.4-second advantage over Toyota team-mate Oliver Solberg.
Elfyn Evans had been ahead of Pajari throughout the morning, but the championship leader rolled and lost two minutes on the final stage before service.
Sébastien Ogier then crashed on the day’s penultimate stage, paving Pajari’s path clear to assume the rally lead.
“What a long day, once again,” the Finn reflected to DirtFish.
“The morning loop was absolutely beautiful, a really close fight. Not too close, but close enough that everyone was pushing all we can so it was really enjoyable – perfect conditions, beautiful stages and everything was just absolutely amazing.
“And then already on the last stage of the morning loop Elfyn went off, so some drama started. But yeah I guess he had a lucky escape in a way that he could bring the car back to the service and continue. And so in that position, after the morning loop, I thought that there is completely no chance to catch Séb.