Rallying-Rovanpera on target to become youngest WRC race winner

Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera was on course to become the youngest ever winner of a World Rally Championship round after stretching his lead in Estonia to 50.7 seconds on Saturday with six stages remaining.

Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera was on course to become the youngest ever winner of a World Rally Championship round after stretching his lead in Estonia to 50.7 seconds on Saturday with six stages remaining. The 20-year-old Finn, who is based in Estonia and in February became the youngest driver to lead the championship, won the day's opening stage and steadily increased the gap over Hyundai's Craig Breen.

The Irishman had a lucky escape when he hit a rock on the day's closing stage and damaged the car's suspension but made it back to service. Belgian Thierry Neuville was in third place for Hyundai, a further 30.2 seconds back.

France's world championship leader Sebastien Ogier was fourth for Toyota with British teammate Elfyn Evans fifth. Local favourite Ott Tanak was back in action after retiring on Friday and ran up six stage wins in his Hyundai.

"We might not be in the fight for victory, but we have still had some fun on these stages," said the 2019 world champion. The Tartu-based rally finishes on Sunday.