WRC Chile: Tanak Inches Closer to Victory
Ott Tanak managed to maintain his lead over Elfyn Evans by a slim 0.4 seconds on the opening day of Rally Chile, the final gravel round of the World Rally Championship season. Despite facing challenges with his Hyundai i20 N throughout the day’s six slippery gravel stages, Tanak’s consistent pace allowed him to edge past Evans and secure the top spot.
Evans, who had initially held the lead after the morning loop, attempted a comeback on the final stage of the afternoon loop but fell short of regaining the lead from Tanak. Meanwhile, World champion Kalle Rovanpera struggled with confidence but managed to secure third place, trailing behind Tanak by 7.1 seconds. Toyota’s Rally1 rookie Sami Pajari impressed by finishing in fourth place, followed by Gregoire Munster in fifth.
Championship Leader Neuville’s Challenges
Thierry Neuville, the championship leader and road opener for the rally, faced difficulties with grip as he navigated the challenging terrain. Despite his efforts, Neuville found himself in seventh place overall by the end of the day. His Hyundai teammate Esapekka Lappi encountered a setback when he experienced a right-rear tyre delamination, affecting his performance on the stages.
The day’s events unfolded with twists and turns, as M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux encountered issues with his Ford Puma due to an alternator problem and a damaged water pipe. Despite the setbacks, Fourmaux managed to deliver a strong performance on the stages, showcasing his resilience and skill behind the wheel.
Ogier’s Spectacular Performance
Sebastien Ogier, determined to make up for lost time after a puncture earlier in the day, put on a spectacular performance during the second pass through the stages. Ogier’s aggressive driving style and determination propelled him from 15th to ninth overall, despite facing challenges with a wheel change on stage three. His impressive speed and focus allowed him to close the gap with the leaders and showcase his championship-winning skills.
Tanak’s relentless pursuit of victory saw him climb to second place overall, trailing behind Evans by a mere 2.7 seconds. Rovanpera, on the other hand, encountered a setback when he lost control of his GR Yaris and overshot a corner, costing him valuable time on the stages. The competition heated up as drivers pushed themselves to the limit, aiming for a podium finish at Rally Chile.
As the day progressed, the battle for supremacy intensified, with drivers pushing their cars to the limit on the challenging gravel stages. Evans, determined to regain the lead, fought hard in the final stage of the loop to narrow the gap with Tanak to just 0.4 seconds. Meanwhile, Fourmaux continued to impress with his resilience and determination, overcoming obstacles to deliver strong performances on the stages.
In WRC2, Nikolay Gryazin showcased his skills by leading title favorite Oliver Solberg by 10.2 seconds, setting the stage for an intense competition in the upcoming stages of the rally. With six stages ahead on Saturday’s leg, drivers are gearing up for more challenges and thrills as they navigate the demanding terrain of Rally Chile.
