WRC: Sébastien Ogier leads the Chile Rally Before the Last Day

Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) was at the head of the Chile rally before the last day which will be on Sunday, in the fight for the lead of the WRC world championship with Briton Elfyn Evans, second on Saturday 13th September

Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) led the Chile rally before the final day which will be played on Sunday, in the fight for the lead of the WRC world championship with Briton Elfyn Evans, second on Saturday evening.

Rain appeared on Saturday, making the dirt tracks very slippery, conditions which initially benefited the Welshman, also on Toyota, which spoke of their similarity with those he may encounter in his native country.

Evans therefore took the lead of the event before seeing Ogier come back like a cannonball and seize it in turn in SS11, the penultimate of the day, to then bring it to 6, 3 seconds.

“It’s going to be intense (tomorrow) and, unlike the first two days, I will have to attack from the start”, underlined the eight-time French world champion, in the running for a ninth title, assuring that he was going to this take a “double” dose of espresso on Sunday morning.

Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai), leader Friday evening, had to let Evans and Ogier slip away but remains firmly clinging to third place.

The Frenchman preceded his Belgian teammate at Hyundai Thierry Neuville by around 15 seconds.

The Estonian Ott Tänak (Hyundai), who had to retire the day before due to a mechanical breakdown, was however able to leave on Saturday while receiving a ten-minute penalty which caused him to fall into the depths of the ranking. Although he managed to achieve two scratch times at the start of this second day, he then suffered a breakdown again.

Sunday will see the drivers compete in four stages, the last of which, the Power Stage, will bring additional championship points to the top five. Others will also be awarded during this “Super Sunday” to the five fastest drivers on this last day.

Chile Rally Ranking

1. Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (FRA/Toyota) 02:23:13.9

2. Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (GBR/Toyota) + 06.3

3. Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (FRA/Hyundai) + 26.8

4. Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL/Hyundai) + 41.7

5. Sami Pajari/Marko Salminen (FIN/Toyota) + 50.4

…

Special stage winners:Sébastien Ogier (SS6, SS10, SS11, SS12), Kalle Rovanperä (SS1, SS2, SS9), Ott Tänak (SS5, SS7, SS8), Elfyn Evans (SS3), Sami Pajari (SS4)

Main retirements: Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (EST/Hyundai): mechanical breakdown