A 60-car Rally del Paraguay entry, stacked WRC2 field and Hayden Paddon’s gravel return set up a major late-summer WRC contest.
Rally del Paraguay has drawn 60 entries for its Aug. 27-30 running, which ends the World Rally Championship’s August pause with a packed service park. A deep WRC2 lineup and Hayden Paddon’s return to top-level gravel competition provide two compelling subplots.
WRC2 takes center stage
The championship’s official website calls the WRC2 field a blockbuster, with the timing adding weight to that description. Robert Virves arrives after inheriting victory at Rally Finland, where Teemu Suninen’s 30-second penalty reversed the result.
That victory gave Virves four WRC2 wins from four starts this season. Paraguay provides another opportunity to preserve his perfect record, although the size and quality of the entry should make the category one of the weekend’s closest contests.
Paddon returns to loose surfaces
Paddon’s appearance adds further interest to the Rally1 contest. The Hyundai driver will make his first start at the championship’s top level on gravel since 2018, closing an eight-year gap between loose-surface WRC outings in the premier class.
Expectations are difficult to set. Experience is one of Paddon’s strengths, but Paraguay poses a different challenge from a familiar European event. A measured drive would still provide Hyundai with useful information before the championship travels from Paraguay to Rally Chile two weeks later.
Title pressure follows Evans and Pajari
Elfyn Evans holds a 30-point advantage over Sami Pajari after Rally Finland, but the Finn has the momentum. Pajari has won consecutive rounds in Estonia and Finland, moving from an emerging threat to Evans’ closest championship rival.
Evans has publicly maintained that he never dismissed Pajari as a contender. Paraguay will show whether Pajari can carry his recent surge beyond the fast roads where he claimed those victories. Evans, meanwhile, can reassert control before the season’s next South American round.
A major unknown on the calendar
With Finland’s high-speed jumps behind the crews, preparations turn to a less established challenge. Limited WRC experience of Paraguay’s conditions could place greater importance on reconnaissance, setup choices and road position.
The 60-car entry adds pressure beyond the headline Rally1 battle. Road evolution, weather and reliability could affect several classes, while unfamiliar stages may favor crews that adapt quickly over those relying on their strongest recent form.
South America could reshape the season
Rally del Paraguay starts with shakedown on Aug. 27, followed by three days of competition from Aug. 28-30. Rally Chile comes next on Sept. 10-13, forming a compact South American run that could change both the outright championship and WRC2 picture. Pajari’s momentum, Evans’ lead, Virves’ perfect WRC2 record and Paddon’s gravel comeback will face the same decisive test: adapting first.
