Robert Virves leads the charge as Estonian talent receives major backing
Robert Virves has reminded us all exactly why he is a force to be reckoned with. By clinching victory at Delfi Rally Estonia, he didn’t just walk away with a crucial 25 points for his 2026 WRC2 Drivers’ Championship campaign; he also claimed a €25,000 prize from a special €50,000 pool established by WRC Promoter to reward the top-performing young Estonian drivers. It is a massive boost for a career that is already on an incredible trajectory.
Looking at the numbers, the former FIA Junior WRC champion is enjoying a perfect season. He has three wins from three starts, which leaves him sitting second overall. He is currently just four points behind Roope Korhonen, though it is worth noting that Korhonen has two additional starts under his belt. Regarding the financial incentive provided by the Promoter, Virves was clear about its value: “It's of course very nice to see such things because I believe that's how it should be, that young drivers can boost their career with the help of some good results. So definitely, in my opinion, [the] very right thing to do.”
It wasn't just Virves who walked away with support. Patrick Enok finished as the second-highest Estonian, taking home €15,000 after securing sixth place overall in WRC2. Beyond that initial prize, Enok was also granted a one-off €50,000 fund to help support his upcoming efforts at Secto Rally Finland. Karl Martin Volver, who finished as the third-best Estonian, earned €10,000—a sum he was quick to earmark for repairs to his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. “Third place [out of the Estonians] was quite a big bonus for us. We definitely deserve it because we need to fix our car,” Volver said with a smile.
The initiative was praised by WRC Promoter’s Senior Sport Director, Peter Thul, who noted that all three drivers finished among the seven fastest Rally2 entries. The goal, according to Thul, is to help these drivers follow in the footsteps of Ott Tänak. Based on this performance, Thul is confident that we will see these drivers competing alongside Virves more consistently in future WRC events.