AT Rally Chile, Welsh driver Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin in their Toyota GR Yaris finished a commendable second, just 23.4 seconds behind team-mate Kalle Rovanpera from Finland. Despite formidable performances throughout the weekend, Evans couldn’t surpass the leading pace set by Rovanpera, who extended his advantage to 15.1 seconds by the final day.
Belgian racer Thierry Neuville edged closer to clinching his first World Rally Championship title by finishing fourth in his Hyundai. Neuville’s consistent performance throughout the season places him at the top of the standings with only two races remaining.
The rally, marked by challenging conditions including dense fog on Saturday and tricky tracks on Sunday, saw some of the season’s most dramatic driving. While Evans showcased some of Sunday’s best driving, Rovanpera proved unbeatable, dominating the field with his pace and precision.
Estonian driver Ott Tanak ascended to second in the overall standings after benefiting from the misfortune of Frenchman Sebastien Ogier, who faced suspension issues on Saturday forcing him to retire. However, Ogier made a strong comeback on Sunday, claiming victory in all four power stages to boost his points, ensuring he remains a contender in the championship.
With the 2024 season nearing its conclusion, Neuville looks poised to secure the championship as the teams prepare for the upcoming Central Europe Rally, traversing through Czechoslovakia, Germany, and Austria, followed by the final event in Japan. The tight race and the challenging conditions promise an exciting conclusion to this year’s championship.
Provisional World Rally Championship Standings after Rally Chile:
- Thierry Neuville (Belgium) – Hyundai, 207 points
- Ott Tanak (Estonia) – Hyundai, 178 points
- Sebastien Ogier (France) – Toyota, 166 points
- Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) – Toyota, 161 points
- Adrien Fourmaux (France) – Ford, 150 points
- Kalle Rovanpera (Finland) – Toyota, 114 points
