Meeke wins in Finland

Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke toppled the favoured Nordic drivers to win Neste Rally Finland on Sunday afternoon.

Meeke became the first British driver to win the Finnish classic and only the sixth non-Nordic victor in the rally’s 65-year history. He led for almost every kilometre of the four-day gravel encounter in a Citroën DS 3.

He shattered the hopes of Jari-Matti Latvala, bidding for his third consecutive victory in the FIA World Rally Championship’s fastest round, who finished 29.1sec behind in a Volkswagen Polo R. Ireland’s Craig Breen claimed a maiden podium, a further 1min 12.2sec back, in another DS 3.

Thierry Neuville won the final live TV Power Stage to claim three bonus points in a Hyundai i20. Team-mate Hayden Paddon took two points for second while Latvala secured the final point.

More news to follow.