Adrien Fourmaux Flies Into Rally Chile Lead After Dramatic Friday

Adrien Fourmaux stunned the rally world on Friday by taking the lead in Rally Chile 2025. The French driver grabbed the top spot after Ott Tänak’s heartbreaking engine failure in the final stage, ending the Estonian’s dominant run. For Fourmaux, this marked the first time he closed an opening day leading a World Rally Championship event.

Fourmaux’s breakthrough moment at Rally Chile

The Hyundai driver inherited the lead with a slim 1.0 second gap over his teammate Thierry Neuville. Fourmaux admitted it was a mix of joy and disbelief, calling it a milestone moment in his career. With victory still far from guaranteed, he knows Saturday’s six demanding stages will be critical.

Tänak’s troubles change the game

Tänak had built nearly a 10-second advantage during the afternoon before disaster struck. His Hyundai stopped 5.6km into the final test, cutting short what looked like a flawless drive. That opened the door for Fourmaux and reset the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

Neuville fights back after a tough start

Thierry Neuville struggled during the morning loop but came alive in the afternoon. After bold setup changes, his i20 N Rally1 handled far better, allowing him to chase Fourmaux down. Despite the improvement, the Belgian admitted his pace was “still far from good,” suggesting there’s more speed left to find.

Ogier delivers a statement performance

No Friday recap is complete without Sébastien Ogier. The eight-time world champion marked his 200th WRC start with a blistering stage win on SS6, climbing from fifth to third. Just 2.3 seconds behind Fourmaux, Ogier proved once again why he remains a benchmark in rallying.

Evans and Pajari battle through tough conditions

Elfyn Evans had led in the morning but slipped back to fifth by the end of the day. Road cleaning and handling struggles cost him dearly, with Toyota teammate Sami Pajari snatching fourth by a margin of 1.9 seconds. Pajari’s performance further highlights Toyota’s depth of talent.

Katsuta, Munster, and Rovanperä’s challenges

Takamoto Katsuta holds sixth, but his Toyota’s balance issues made driving difficult. Grégoire Munster sits seventh after recovering from a broken gear linkage. Meanwhile, defending champion Kalle Rovanperä had a disastrous day. A debeaded tyre pushed him over a minute behind, killing his chances for a strong Chile defense.

WRC2 drama and Solberg’s control

In WRC2, Oliver Solberg emerged as the class leader, taking advantage of mechanical retirements for Yohan Rossel and Gus Greensmith. Solberg not only leads the category but also sits ninth overall, reminding everyone of his growing credentials.

What comes next in Rally Chile

With rain expected overnight, Saturday’s stages will likely shake up the order again. The slippery Bio Bío gravel roads could prove decisive for drivers chasing the lead. Fourmaux may be ahead now, but with Neuville and Ogier breathing down his neck, anything can happen in Rally Chile 2025.

Summary

Rally Chile 2025 Adrien Fourmaux lead is a reminder that rallying never follows a script. Tänak’s misfortune created an opening, and Fourmaux seized it. With Neuville, Ogier, and Evans still in striking distance, Saturday’s rain-soaked stages are set to define the outcome of this thrilling event.

Disclaimer: Content on this site is for informational purposes only. Vehicle specs, pricing, and availability may change. Always verify details with official sources before making decisions. Opinions are those of the authors.

Source: WRC