The FIA World Rally Championship’s South American adventure continues this week at Rally Chile Bio Bío (September 11-14), where the closest title fight in two decades enters a decisive phase.
Just nine points separate championship leader Elfyn Evans from third-place finisher Sébastien Ogier, with Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Kalle Rovanperä seven points behind Evans. Not since 2003—when Petter Solberg secured his only world title—has the championship entered its 11th round with such a narrow gap between the front-runners.
Returning for its fourth WRC edition in 2025, Chile has quickly built a reputation as a driver’s rally, rewarding those who can build confidence and maintain speed through blind corners and smooth transitions. The gravel roads are smooth and well-constructed, though reconnaissance conditions were challenging—with heavy rain and persistent fog limiting visibility and raising questions about the accuracy of the pace notes.
Evans compared the stage’s characteristics to those of his home country of Wales and is hoping for wet conditions on Friday, which would reduce the handicap he faces when the road opens. Current forecasts indicate rain showers are expected late on the opening day.
“If it’s dry, we might face the usual challenge on Friday, but if it rains, it’s not much different from somewhere like Wales in terms of mud and slipperiness, and it’s not so bad to be first,” he explained. “In any case, the roads are really enjoyable to drive.”
Ogier is celebrating a personal milestone, following in the footsteps of team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, becoming only the second driver in WRC history to compete in 200 championship rounds.
His victory in Paraguay less than two weeks ago, battling an early puncture to secure silverware, helped propel the Frenchman into the fight for a record-breaking ninth world title. Rovanperä, meanwhile, arrives as the defending winner in Chile but must recover from the disappointment of Paraguay, where a puncture cost him the lead.
Toyota Gazoo Racing holds a 100-point lead in the manufacturers’ championship after nine wins from ten starts. The Japanese brand fields five GR Yaris Rally1s in total, with Evans, Rovanperä, and Ogier supported by Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari.
Trying to close that gap are Hyundai Motorsport stars Ott Tänak, Thierry Neuville, and Adrien Fourmaux. Tänak sits just 18 points behind Evans and boasts a strong record in Chile, winning in two of his three previous visits to the South American forests.
“Chile is all about rallying. The roads are exceptionally fresh here—they’re both flowing and smooth,” said the Estonian. “You have to be as efficient as possible, and that’s achieved through your driving style and the car’s setup.”
M-Sport Ford completes the manufacturers’ representation with a three-car entry. Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean are joined by local hero Alberto Heller, who returns to the wheel of a Puma Rally1 for his home event after showing promising pace in 2023.
The battle for the WRC2 championship is also intensifying, with frontrunners Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rossel among the 19 Rally2 entrants. Both drivers have a mathematical chance of clinching the title this week, although strong results from rivals Nikolay Gryazin and Gus Greensmith could ensure the fight continues beyond this 11th round.
Based in Concepción, the country’s second-largest city, the Rally Chile Bio Bío begins Thursday and includes 306.76 kilometers of competitive action across 16 special stages.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is the FIA’s premier rally series. It showcases high-performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing in dramatic environments, ranging from the freezing Swedish winter to the heat and rocky Kenyan tracks. Participants compete for the driver’s and manufacturer’s titles in 14 rallies. More information is available at http://www.wrc.com.
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