Battle for the World Championship intensifies: Toyota driver Solberg wins Rally Chile

Solberg had won the Monte Carlo Rally to kick off the season. As the season progressed, however, the Swede had to weather some difficult spells. With his victory in Chile, his title hopes are back on track. The 24-year-old did not play it safe with his solid lead from Saturday evening, but instead went all out on the final day to secure vital bonus points for the World Championship. His courage paid off: last year’s WRC2 champion was the second-fastest on Super Sunday and set the fastest time on the Power Stage.

“An incredible weekend. The whole season has been full of ups and downs, but the whole team has supported me throughout. I’m lost for words. A huge thank you to everyone. I’ve finally managed to secure another victory,” enthused Solberg.

Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) finished second, 16.6 seconds behind his team-mate. The Frenchman had shone in Chile with seven stage wins and was delighted with his superb car at the second South American round of the World Championship.

Oliver Solberg auf Sprung zum dritten WM-Lauf-Sieg seiner Karriere

Foto: Red Bull

Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux finished third, 33.3 seconds behind Solberg, and described the Chile rally as a positive experience. “We had to be careful with the tyres and simply tried to avoid any drama. On the final day, we pushed hard, but then we had tyre problems again and had to take it easier,” reflected Fourmaux.

Toyota’s young driver Sami Pajari saw his run of three consecutive victories come to an end, but still managed to finish fourth.

Sebastien Ogier auf Fahrt zu Platz zwei

Foto: Red Bull

World Championship leader Elfyn Evans (Toyota), who was in second place, suffered a puncture on the penultimate special stage. The Welshman lost over two minutes during the tyre change and dropped from second to fifth place behind Pajari.

“We tried to drive efficiently and as quickly as possible. We were doing well in the race. Then we suffered the puncture. These things just happen,” sighed a composed Evans.

Hyundai-Pilot Adrien Fourmaux komplettiert Podium

Foto: Red Bull

In the World Championship standings, with two rounds remaining, Elfyn Evans sits on 230 points, 17 points ahead of Sami Pajari (213). Together with Oliver Solberg on 209 points, Sébastien Ogier on 171 and Adrien Fourmaux on 167, a quintet of drivers still have a realistic chance of winning the World Championship title.

Kreisverkehr: Lancia-Pilot Yohan Rossel gewinnt die WRC2-Wertung

Foto: Red Bull

Hyundai part-time driver Esapekka Lappi never came anywhere near the pace of the leading drivers at any point throughout the weekend. The Finn finished sixth, more than five minutes behind the winner. Irishman Josh McErlean (M-Sport Ford) was classified seventh.

Im Kurvengeschlängel: Elfyn Evans verteidigt trotz Reifenpech WM-Führung

Foto: Red Bull

Lancia driver Yohan Rossel won the WRC2 category and finished eighth overall. The Frenchman secured a commanding class victory. Robert Virves, a four-time winner this season, finished second in his Škoda, almost a minute behind. Gus Greensmith took third place in the class in his Toyota.

Turkish driver Ali Türkkan secured the World Junior Championship title, as Rally Chile was the final round of the junior championship. Türkkan finished second in Chile behind the Finnish driver Leevi Lassila (his first win of the season), but that was enough after the Swede Calle Carlberg suffered a serious crash on Saturday evening. All three drivers were at the wheel of M-Sport Ford Rally3 cars.

Im M-Sport Ford-Rally3 sicherte sich Ali Türkkan den Junioren-Titel

Foto: Red Bull

In the twelfth of 14 World Championship rounds, Toyota clinched the Manufacturers’ World Championship ahead of schedule with a one-two finish. After the Rally Paraguay, just one point was needed to seal the title. This is already the Japanese manufacturer’s tenth championship title, a feat previously achieved only by Lancia.