Tanak surprised by WRC Rally Chile pace after Friday struggles
Ott Tanak admitted he was surprised to be fighting for the Rally Chile victory having initially written off his chances after Friday’s first stage. The Hyundai driver delivered an impressive drive from second on the road to lead Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by 0.4 seconds at the end of Friday’s six stages. Tanak will, however, head into […]
Elfyn Evans regains WRC Rally Chile lead after notional time adjustment
Elfyn Evans has been handed the Rally Chile lead after World Rally Championship officials issued an adjustment to the notional stage one time awarded to the Toyota driver. Evans had ended Friday’s six stages trailing Hyundai’s Ott Tanak by 0.4s, but a change in the notional time awarded to the Welshman for the interrupted opening […]
Tanak holds on to lead Evans by 0.4s
Ott Tanak held off World Rally Championship title rival Elfyn Evans to claim a slender 0.4s Rally Chile lead on the opening day of the final gravel round of the season. Tanak was never totally comfortable with his Hyundai i20 N through the day’s six slippery gravel stages but consistent pace helped the Estonian snatch […]
Ogier latest to protest FIA clampdown after Verstappen swearing saga
Sebastien Ogier has explained the reason for his short replies in Rally Chile stage-end interviews stating, «We have been told by the top of the FIA to shut our mouths». The eight-time world rally champion’s reaction follows being handed a €30,000 suspended fine from the FIA for comments he directed at officials at the end […]
Evans snatches lead after Ogier wheel change
Elfyn Evans snatched the Rally Chile lead from Toyota World Rally Championship team-mate Sebastien Ogier after the Frenchman was forced to change a wheel on stage three. Evans delivered strong pace throughout the morning’s gravel stages to head to midday service with a 2.2s lead over Toyota team-mate and reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera. Toyota […]
What M-Sport is looking for from Sesks’ WRC “extended audition”
M-Sport is treating Martins Sesks’ Rally Chile outing as an “extended audition” in the World Rally Championship as the Ford team continues to assess the young driver’s skills for the future. Rising star Sesks and co-driver Renars Francis have earned a third outing in Ford Puma Rally1 this year following impressive displays to finish fifth […]
Tanak unsure how to act following FIA sanctions for Ogier, Verstappen
Ott Tänak says it’s “really difficult to know how to act” in interviews following the FIA’s sanctions for comments made by World Rally Championship rival Sebastian Ogier and Formula 1’s Max Verstappen. The Hyundai driver has raised concerns after the FIA handed Ogier a €30,000 suspended fine for comments the Toyota driver directed at officials […]
It’s not too late to attract new marques to WRC in 2027
The FIA is confident it is not too late to attract new manufacturers to the World Rally Championship in 2027 amid plans to announce new technical regulations in December. The world motorsport governing body has been working for more than 18 months to devise the future direction of the Rally1 and Rally2 WRC classes in […]
Toyota refusing to give up WRC title fight in Chile
Toyota is refusing to give up the World Rally Championship fight in Chile this weekend despite previously admitting that its title hopes are “pretty much gone”. The Japanese manufacturer has won the previous three WRC constructors’ and drivers’ titles but its hopes of retaining the crowns have come under serious threat from Hyundai. Despite winning […]