In the latest developments of the Swedish Rally EK16, Finnish driver Tuukka Kauppinen has officially withdrawn from the competition, adversely impacting the possibility of a Finnish sweep in the event. After 16 out of 18 special stages, the situation sees Elfyn Evans leading the race, with Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari also in strong positions behind him. The competition's final day is set to consist of only three special stages, where points will be allocated after the Power Stage in Umeå.

As the final day unfolds, Finnish driver Sami Pajari is in contention for his second World Championship podium, having set a solid pace on Sunday morning. After the Västervik stage, he secured the fourth fastest time but acknowledged the challenging conditions of the track. Despite Kauppinen's exit, Pajari remains determined to translate his strong start into a podium finish, indicating a competitive spirit among the Finnish participants, even in the face of adversity.

The withdrawal of Kauppinen not only shifts the dynamics of the Finnish drivers but also poses questions about the team's overall strategy and performance. With the rally concluding soon, drivers will need to adapt quickly to maintain competitive standings while securing valuable championship points in the remaining stages. Finnish fans will be watching closely to see if Pajari can uphold the nation's rally reputation amidst this setback and potentially still capture a spot on the podium.