Kalle Rovanperä leads the Central European Rally by 36.3 seconds after a dramatic Saturday that saw Toyota teammate Sébastien Ogier crash out, reshaping the Rovanperä Central European Rally lead and the WRC championship picture heading into the final day.
Rovanperä Seizes Control as Ogier Crashes Out
Starting the day just 0.6 seconds behind Ogier, Rovanperä wasted no time in taking charge. He moved into the lead on the opening Made in FRG stage before Ogier’s rally ended abruptly on the rain-affected Keplý test.
The Frenchman’s Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 ran wide on a damp, leaf-covered section of asphalt and struck a tree in a heavy impact. The crash destroyed the front-left of the car but left both Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais unhurt. They are expected to restart on Sunday for the Power Stage points.
Championship Picture Shifts Once Again
Ogier’s exit, eerily similar to his crash at the same event a year ago, altered the WRC title dynamics. With his teammate sidelined, Elfyn Evans provisionally stands to claim the championship lead, though Rovanperä remains within striking distance if his advantage holds.
“It’s been a good day,” said Rovanperä. “The afternoon was trickier, but everything is going well. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day, the fight will be tight.”
Tänak and Evans Battle for Podium Positions
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak emerged as Rovanperä’s nearest challenger, vaulting past Evans into second overall after winning the repeat of Keplý. Despite reporting a “strange transmission noise,” the Estonian continued to reduce the gap through the afternoon stages, ending 36.3 seconds behind the Finn.
Evans struggled to match the pace on the drying roads but kept his composure to complete the day in third, 8.4 seconds behind Tänak. “We were missing a bit of speed this afternoon,” he admitted. “We’ll try again tomorrow.”
Katsuta Impresses with Stage Wins
Takamoto Katsuta shone in fourth, claiming two stage wins in Klatovy. His consistent pace kept him within 13.6 seconds of Evans by day’s end, strengthening Toyota’s grip on the manufacturers’ championship heading into Sunday’s final leg.
Hyundai and Ford Drivers Round Out the Top Ten
Adrien Fourmaux maintained a clean run to stay fifth in his Hyundai i20 N Rally1, ahead of Sami Pajari’s Toyota in sixth. Thierry Neuville recovered from a troubled Friday to win the final stage in darkness and secure seventh overall.
“It’s still tricky in the bumpy sections, but I feel better now on smoother roads,” said Neuville, reflecting on his improved pace. M-Sport Ford’s Josh McErlean finished eighth despite clipping a chicane, while Rally2 runners Oliver Solberg and Jan Cerny completed the top ten. Cerny inherited the WRC2 lead after Alejandro Cachón retired with suspension damage.
Performance and Reliability Define Toyota’s Rally
The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 continued to demonstrate exceptional stability and performance across mixed conditions. Its strong hybrid powertrain and responsive chassis allowed Rovanperä to maintain control even as conditions worsened, underlining Toyota’s advantage in both speed and reliability.
Summary
Saturday’s action transformed the Central European Rally and reignited the WRC title fight. Rovanperä’s composed drive and Toyota’s pace placed him in a commanding position, while Ogier’s crash opened new championship possibilities. With four stages remaining, Sunday promises a tense and defining showdown.
Source: WRC
