WRC double-header in Paraguay and Chile: title decisions possible in South America

Following last year’s spectacular debut, the Paraguay Rally is once again part of the top international circuit as the eleventh round of the World Rally Championship, taking place from 27 to 30 August. Just two weeks later, from 10 to 13 September, the second instalment of the South American gravel festival will take place in Chile.

Once again, WRC leader Elfyn Evans (Toyota) will be the first to take to the track in Paraguay, clearing the way for his rivals. The Welshman leads the provisional World Championship standings with 201 points, ahead of his works team-mates Sami Pajari (171), Takamoto Katsuta (160) and Oliver Solberg (156).

Weltmeister Ogier triumphierte im Vorjahr in Paraguay

Foto: Red Bull

World Champion and last year’s winner Sébastien Ogier is already 62 points behind following his crash in Finland. Nevertheless, the Frenchman believes he still has a chance of winning the title and intends to compete in all remaining World Championship rounds.

The situation in the manufacturers’ championship is much clearer. There, defending champions Toyota lead by 174 points ahead of Hyundai. If the gap increases by at least a further six points in Paraguay, the Japanese carmaker will be crowned world champions for the sixth consecutive time.

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Rallye Paraguay: Powerstage

FIA World Rally Championship

30.08.2026 - 19:00

The Rally Paraguay, named the best event of the season by the FIA last year, is once again setting up base in Encarnación, the country’s second-largest city. The tricky gravel stages near the Argentine border offer a varied mix of technical sections through woodland and fast, full-throttle passages in open terrain, peppered with undulations and jumps.

Thierry Neuville durchquert im Vorjahr eine Wasserpassage

Foto: Red Bull

The schedule has been significantly revised compared with last year. Around 40 per cent of the route is new, whilst the number of special stages has increased from 19 to 22 and the total distance covered in special stages from 335.22 to 357.64 kilometres. Despite the longer special stage distance, the overall route is more compact. A critical factor for the competitors could be the high probability of rain over the weekend, given the soft ground.

A thrilling showdown: Sunday’s programme has been shortened and will consist of five special stages totalling 68.12 special stage kilometres. The final Power Stage will cover 10.21 kilometres.

The entry list features 60 teams, including ten Rally1 works cars from Toyota, Hyundai and Ford. Behind them are a total of 28 Rally2 cars, led by four-time WRC2 season winner Robert Virves (Škoda).

Just two weeks later, Rally Chile takes place around the Pacific coast city of Concepción. Near the country’s second-largest city, the 56 WRC teams can expect a total distance of 1,170 kilometres, comprising 16 special stages totalling 311.70 special stage kilometres.