WRC3 wide open as Fontana skips Estonia
The man who has been the undisputed class benchmark all season, Fontana, is nowhere to be found in Estonia. After victories in Sweden, Portugal, and Greece—a run that has secured him 100 points and the lead in the standings—the defending champion is sitting this one out. It is a massive hole in the field, and for the rest of the WRC3 pack, it is the golden opportunity they have been waiting for.
Leading the charge is Tymek Abramowski, the highest-placed title contender on the entry list. Currently sitting fourth in the championship, 49 points adrift, the Pole has been a master of consistency with runner-up finishes in Sweden, Rally Islas Canarias, and Greece. Estonia’s high-speed gravel demands a different kind of bravery, but if he handles the pace around Tartu, he could shift the momentum of the entire season.
He is not the only one eyeing a climb up the leaderboard. Nicolas Otto enters with momentum after a second-place finish in Greece, his best showing of the year. He will be joined in the fight by André Martínez and Nataniel Bruun, both of whom currently sit inside the top 12 of the standings and will be piloting Ford Fiesta Rally3 machinery. It’s a scrappy field, and on these lightning-fast roads, every tenth of a second is going to be brutal.
Keep an eye on Kerem Kazaz, who has already proven his pace in Junior WRC. He’ll be navigating the stages alongside the experienced French co-driver Corentin Silvestre. Meanwhile, the local knowledge will be represented by Priit Koik, who is paired with Allan Birjukov in a Renault Clio Rally3. The field is also bolstered by Jarkko Nikara, bringing his specific brand of fast-gravel pedigree in a Renault Clio Rally3, and Grzegorz Bonder, who enters the fray in a Ford Fiesta Rally3.
Finally, the presence of the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Next Generation duo, Rio Ogata and Kanta Yanagida, adds a fascinating layer to the event. Both drivers are set to tackle these incredibly committed roads in Renault Clio Rally3 cars. For these two, it is all about gaining crucial experience on the fastest surface in the championship, making the most of a weekend where the benchmark driver is absent.
