Rally Chile - 2nd Day - 1st Loop: Evans up to 1st from 5th, Tanak retires again

At the end of Saturday morning, Elfyn Evans becomes the new rally leader in Chile with Sebastien Ogier and Adrien Fourmaux following him.

Elfyn Evans initially gained two positions and moved up from fifth to third overall at the end of Stage 7, but he climbed into second overall at the end of Stage 8. In Stage 9, he managed to take the lead of Rally Chile by being faster than his rivals.

Sebastien Ogier is now second overall and 5,6 seconds separates him from his teammate.

Adrien Fourmaux lost his lead over Evans at the end of Stage 9 as their gap was at 0,9 seconds in favor the first one at the end of Stage 8.

Thierry Neuville initially dropped from second to third overalland was ahead of Ogier for only 0,6 seconds ahead of Ogier at the end of Stage 8, but he lost one more position and is in fourth overall at then end of SS9.

Sami Pajari managed to complete the top five and to stay ahead of Kalle Rovanpera for 16,3 seconds heading to the second loop of Saturday.

Gregoire Munster sits in seventh position overall and lost his place over Rovanpera at the end of Stage 7. He is the only remaining M-Sport Ford driver and was lucky in Stage 7 as he hit a bank.

Takamoto Katsuta follows Munster for 6,9 seconds and made a mistake in Stage 8 as he snapped the rear and spun.

Ott Tanak set the fastest time on the first two stages of Saturday, but he retired before the start of Stage 9 in order to protect his car for Sunday.

Josh McErlean and Alberto Heller were forced to retire in Stage 7 due to mechanical issues.

 

Watch below the stage times:

Watch below the overall classification after Stage 9:

Photo Credits: Toyota