Kalle Rovanperä claimed his fourth win of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) on Sunday, conquering foggy, challenging conditions at Rally Chile Bio Bío. Driving his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID, the Finnish driver crossed the finish line 23.4 seconds ahead of team-mate Elfyn Evans, concluding the final gravel round of the season.
The 11th round of the championship saw competitors battling the unpredictable terrain of Chile’s Bio Bío region. Rovanperä, who had initially struggled to adapt to the gravel surface, found his pace on Saturday afternoon. Overcoming dense fog and near-zero visibility, the two-time WRC champion took the lead from Evans, establishing a 15.1-second advantage heading into the final day.
Despite the tough conditions, Rovanperä remained composed, outperforming Evans on three of the final four stages to seal the 15th WRC victory of his career. Reflecting on his triumph, Rovanperä said, “It feels really good. Big thanks to the team; the car worked perfectly. The conditions were difficult all weekend, so the win feels even better.”
Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tänak finished third, 20.5 seconds behind Evans, securing a podium spot in his i20 N Rally1 HYBRID. Despite the result, Hyundai now trails Toyota by just 17 points in the manufacturers’ championship, thanks to Rovanperä and Evans’ exceptional performances and Sébastien Ogier’s crucial Super Sunday points.
Thierry Neuville, who leads the drivers’ championship, finished fourth, strengthening his lead with a 29-point advantage over Tänak. With only two rounds remaining, Neuville is in a strong position to secure his maiden WRC title.
Sébastien Ogier, who was in contention for victory, retired on Saturday due to suspension damage. Adrien Fourmaux was the top M-Sport Ford finisher in fifth, followed by rising Toyota star Sami Pajari in sixth.
The championship heads to Europe next for the Central European Rally, taking place from 17–20 October, as the season reaches its thrilling conclusion.
Rally Chile Final Classification:
- Kalle Rovanperä (FIN) – Toyota GR Yaris – 2h 58m 59.8s
- Elfyn Evans (GBR) – Toyota GR Yaris – +23.4s
- Ott Tänak (EST) – Hyundai i20 N – +43.9s
FIA World Rally Championship Standings (after Round 11):
- Thierry Neuville – 207pts
- Ott Tänak – 178pts
- Sébastien Ogier – 166pts
Source: WRC
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
