Adrien Fourmaux currently leads Rally Chile, overtaking Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville after Ott Tanak’s sudden retirement on Friday due to an engine problem. The drama unfolded during the sixth stage of the rally, reshaping the competition as the teams battled on the gravel roads of Chile.
Fourmaux Seizes the Lead as Tanak Faces Mechanical Trouble
Fourmaux assumed the rally lead after Ott Tanak encountered a suspected engine failure 5.6 kilometers into the lengthy 23.32km San Rosendo 2 stage. This forced the Estonian driver to stop, handing Fourmaux a slender 1-second advantage over Neuville by the end of the day. Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier moved into third position, just 2.3 seconds behind, while championship leader Elfyn Evans slipped from first to fifth place, trailing by 13.1 seconds.
The morning stages featured damp conditions which benefited drivers starting early on the roads, but as the day progressed, the gravel dried, disadvantaging those at the front who struggled with loose surfaces. Evans briefly led the rally going into the afternoon but quickly lost time, ceding the top position to Tanak, who appeared poised to dominate before his sudden mechanical issue.
“I can only be pleased because I think it is the first time we are leading a rally at the end of the first day so it is positive for us but it is a shame for Ott,”
Fourmaux commented.
“It is a shame for the team as it would be nice to be 1-2-3 tonight but tomorrow is going to be a different day, so let’s see,”
he added.
Changing Road Conditions Shake Up Rankings
The rally’s gravel roads in Chile presented varied challenges throughout the day. Drivers who began early capitalized on moist surfaces improving traction, but as the stages dried, competitors at the front had to navigate loose, unstable gravel, leading to significant time differences.
Evans won the morning loop by a narrow 0.5-second margin, but the advantage was short-lived. In stage four, Evans lost 8.9 seconds, while Tanak posted the third fastest time to take the lead. Stage five highlighted Evans’ continued difficulties as he lost further ground sweeping the road and dropped behind the Hyundai trio to fourth overall.
Tanak claimed the stage win by 0.6 seconds over Fourmaux, stretching his lead to 9.7 seconds over his teammate, with Neuville trailing 4.4 seconds behind in third.
Technical Director Addresses Tanak’s Unexpected Retirement
Shortly after his strong performances, Tanak had to retire due to apparent engine failure triggered by a heavy 3G impact. Hyundai’s technical director, Francois-Xavier Demaison, explained the situation was unclear but under investigation.
“We don’t have too much information but he [Ott] called on the radio to say it was an engine failure. We have no data so we will have to wait for the car to come back to service and analyse what happened,”
said Demaison.
He remained optimistic about the possibility of Tanak’s return to the rally, noting,
“We will try to get him out tomorrow as he only lost one stage and many things can still happen and on Sunday there are points to be given. The weather [forecasted rain] will maybe help us a bit.”
Close Contest Between Fourmaux and Neuville After Morning Struggles
Tanak’s retirement intensified the duel at the top between Fourmaux and Neuville. The Belgian driver had a challenging start, grappling with handling and transmission issues that made his car difficult to drive. Neuville described the morning as a “nightmare” but benefited from a car update during midday service, including a damper change.
“It was a way better afternoon but still far from good honestly, The road conditions are cleaning and when it is a clean line I somehow drive the car, but when it is loose there is no trust there,”
Neuville stated.
In spite of the setbacks, Neuville acknowledged the day ended on a hopeful note.
“A very challenging day but it ended on a positive note. Unfortunately I don’t know what happened to Ott but I saw the car parked on the side, it is very unfortunate for him.”
Ogier Recovers with Strong Afternoon Performance
Sébastien Ogier, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, bounced back from a morning setup error that saw him go off in the wrong direction. The eight-time world champion delivered a spectacular stage six win, closing the gap to just 2.3 seconds from the rally leader by Friday’s end.
The afternoon stages proved difficult for Evans, who described it as a “big struggle” but managed to retain fifth place behind Toyota teammate Sami Pajari, who recorded the fastest time on stage four.
Other Notable Performances and Challenges in the Top 10
Takamoto Katsuta found improved pace in the afternoon to secure sixth place, 41 seconds behind the leader. M-Sport’s Gregoire Munster also improved his overall standing in the Ford Puma. Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä sits eighth after losing significant time due to a puncture that cost him over a minute early in the day, despite his initial strong showing by winning the opening two stages.
Oliver Solberg, leading the WRC2 category, completes the top ten along with M-Sport’s Josh McEelean, who had setbacks including a spin and puncture. Solberg’s chances in the WRC2 title race have strengthened following the retirements of rivals Yohan Rossel and Gus Greensmith due to technical issues.
Nikolay Gryazin remains a title contender, trailing Solberg by 10.4 seconds, keeping the fight alive among the key competitors.
Preparations for Saturday’s Next Challenge
The competitors face six demanding stages covering 139.20 kilometers on Saturday, setting the stage for further strategic battles and possible shifts in the overall standings. With rain forecasted and the unpredictable terrain, the rally remains wide open as drivers adapt to evolving conditions and mechanical uncertainties.
