Estonian builds commanding 58.3s benefit on gruelling penultimate day.
Ott Tänak closed in on back-to-back Rally Chile Bio Bío triumphs by dominating Saturday to construct a commanding lead.
Tänak, who drives a Ford Puma Rally1 for British group M-Sport Ford, started this penultimate leg with a small 4.2-second benefit over Hyundai Motorsport’s Teemu Suninen however ended a whopping 58.3sec clear on a day which troubled title contenders Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans.
Saturday’s velocity assessments have been contrastingly longer, twistier and far more abrasive than Friday’s. And whereas Tänak’s rivals leaned in the direction of Pirelli’s comfortable compound rubber for the morning loop, the Estonian’s determination to take 4 onerous tyres with him made a world of distinction.
With their tyres worn down by the point they’d reached the ultimate stage earlier than lunchtime, Suninen, Evans and Rovanperä all leaked chunks of time. Tänak, whose onerous selection boasted an extended lifespan, took full benefit and prolonged his result in 47.8sec earlier than service.
Tyre preservation remained a key issue on the repeated afternoon loop however, with the onerous work accomplished, Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja have been capable of handle their lead over Suninen. Victory on Sunday would make sure the pair retain a 100 per cent victory report in Chile, a rally which has featured on the WRC calendar simply as soon as beforehand in 2019.
“It’s been an especially good day,” Tänak admitted. “It’s been working in our favour and, on the levels which have been dangerous, we had the benefit to decelerate however, when it was wanted, we have been capable of velocity up. It’s not completed but, so we have to maintain it going tomorrow.”
Neuville was hindered by a sluggish puncture within the day’s opening stage however handed Toyota man Evans late within the morning to make it two Hyundai i20 N automobiles inside the highest three. He and Suninen have been cut up by 13.9sec at shut of play and their standings imply that, barring any adjustments, Toyota Gazoo Racing will probably be unable to win the producers’ crown on Sunday.
For Rovanperä, who ended the day 39.3sec behind Evans in fifth total, the look ahead to a second drivers’ title can also be more likely to go on.
The Finn turns 23 on Sunday and carried a commanding 33-point lead into this eleventh spherical of the season, however requires a rating 28 factors increased than team-mate Evans’ if he’s to have fun the title with two rallies remaining.
Takamoto Katsuta skilled tyre troubles of his personal in SS9 however remained a lonely sixth total in one other Toyota. Behind him was WRC2 chief Oliver Solberg who, together with Gus Greensmith, handed Sami Pajari within the ultimate stage because the Škoda Fabia driver struggled with tyre put on.
Grégoire Munster misplaced seven minutes when he stopped to alter two wheels late within the day. His time loss allowed Yohan Rossel to finish the highest 10.
Sunday’s finale boasts velocity assessments in Las Pataguas and El Poñen, every pushed twice and punctuated by a short 15-minute service halt. The second go of the latter kinds the Wolf Energy Stage the place important bonus factors are up for grabs.
Main positions after Saturday:
1. O Tänak / M Järveoja EST Ford Puma 2h 36m 16.2s
2. T Suninen / M Markkula FIN Hyundai i20 N +58.3s
3. T Neuville / M Wydaeghe BEL Hyundai i20 N +1m 12.2s
4. E Evans / S Martin GBR Toyota GR Yaris +1m 22.9s
5. Okay Rovanperä / J Halttunen FIN Toyota GR Yaris +2m 24.0s
6. T Katsuta / A Johnston JPN Toyota GR Yaris +4m 7.2s
