Rovanpera Takes Lead in Foggy Chile Rally

Kalle Rovanpera faced challenging conditions during the Chile Rally, navigating through thick fog to take the lead from his Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans. The reigning champion, who is only participating part-time this year, expressed the difficulty of the stages, stating he had never experienced such conditions before. Evans, who had been in second place, was promoted to first overnight due to a revision of his notional time after a stage was abandoned. However, he struggled in the fog, which hindered his visibility and performance. Sebastian Ogier, another prominent driver, was forced to retire after damaging his car on a stone, which ended his hopes for the day. Ott Tanak, currently second in the standings, finished third on Saturday, while Thierry Neuville, the championship leader, managed to cut down Tanak's advantage significantly in the last two stages. As the rally progressed into its final stages, Rovanpera held a 15.1-second lead over Evans, with Tanak trailing by another 18.5 seconds. The competition remained fierce, with drivers adapting to the unpredictable weather conditions. Evans had initially gained a lead by winning three of the four morning stages but was unable to maintain his position as the fog thickened. The outcome of the rally will be crucial for the standings, especially with only two rallies remaining in the season. Rovanpera's performance, despite not contending for the overall title, showcased his skill and adaptability in adverse conditions.