WRC Rally Chile: Fourmaux Takes the Lead as Tanak Retires
In a surprising twist at the WRC Rally Chile, Adrien Fourmaux seized the top position after a dramatic turn of events on Friday. The competition saw a significant shake-up when championship hopeful Ott Tanak was forced to withdraw due to an apparent engine problem. This unexpected development has left the rally leaderboard tightly contested, with the leading five drivers separated by a mere 13.1 seconds, promising an exhilarating challenge for the remainder of the event.
Fourmaux Ascends Amidst Tanak's Unfortunate Exit in Chile Rally
On a thrilling Friday at the WRC Rally Chile, held on the challenging gravel stages of Chile, Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai Motorsport emerged as the new leader. This came after a significant setback for Hyundai teammate and title contender Ott Tanak, whose rally aspirations were abruptly halted by a suspected engine failure during stage six. Fourmaux now holds a narrow one-second advantage over his teammate Thierry Neuville, who remarkably recovered from a difficult morning session.
Sébastien Ogier of Toyota climbed to third, just 2.3 seconds behind the leader, while championship frontrunner Elfyn Evans, who initially held the lead, slipped to fifth, trailing by 13.1 seconds. Fourmaux expressed his satisfaction with leading the rally for the first time at the end of day one, acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances for Tanak. He emphasized the anticipation for a challenging day ahead.
The afternoon conditions saw a reversal of fortunes, with the drying gravel stages favoring those lower down the road order, in contrast to the damp morning that benefited early runners. Evans initially held a slim 0.5-second lead into the afternoon loop but quickly lost ground. Tanak, demonstrating impressive pace, secured the fastest time in stage four, catapulting him into a 6.9-second lead over Evans. He further extended his lead in stage five, finishing 0.6 seconds ahead of Fourmaux, placing him 9.7 seconds clear of his teammate, with Neuville 4.4 seconds behind in third.
However, Tanak's strong performance concluded unexpectedly in the 23.32km San Rosendo 2 stage. Approximately 5.6km in, his i20 N experienced a suspected engine issue, forcing him to pull over and cede the lead to Fourmaux. Francois-Xavier Demaison, Hyundai's technical director, noted the lack of immediate data but confirmed an engine failure, stating that the team would analyze the car upon its return to service. He also mentioned plans to get Tanak back on track for Saturday, especially given the potential for point-scoring on Sunday and a forecasted change in weather conditions.
Tanak's withdrawal intensified the battle for the lead, with Fourmaux narrowly maintaining his position against Neuville. Neuville reported a much-improved afternoon after overcoming handling and transmission issues that plagued his car in the morning. He revealed that adjustments to the car's transition and dampers were made during the midday service. Neuville described the day as "very challenging" but ended on a positive note for himself, despite his disappointment for Tanak.
Ogier, after admitting to an incorrect setup in the morning, showcased a strong comeback in the afternoon, clinching the win in stage six and ending the day just 2.3 seconds off the lead. Evans described his afternoon as a "big struggle" but managed to secure fifth place behind Toyota teammate Sami Pajari, who recorded the fastest time in stage four. Takamoto Katsuta improved his speed in the afternoon, finishing sixth, while M-Sport's Gregoire Munster displayed a much stronger performance in his Ford Puma. Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera finished eighth after losing over a minute in stage three due to a tire issue, despite winning the first two stages.
The top ten was completed by WRC2 leader Oliver Solberg and M-Sport's Josh McEerlean, who faced challenges including a spin and a left-rear puncture. Solberg's WRC title hopes received a boost following the retirements of rivals Yohan Rossel (engine oil leak) and Gus Greensmith (engine). Nikolay Gryazin remains in title contention, trailing Solberg by 10.4 seconds. The competition is set to continue with six more stages covering 139.20km on Saturday.
The WRC Rally Chile truly embodies the unpredictable nature of motorsport. The dramatic shifts in leadership and unforeseen mechanical failures highlight that victory is never assured until the final moment. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the fine line between triumph and tribulation, underscoring the importance of both consistent performance and a bit of luck in the high-stakes world of rally racing.