P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Elfyn Evans lays down WRC Rally Chile marker
“Evans, piloting his Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Yaris, enters the 11th round of the FIA World Rally Championship with a 33-point disadvantage behind TGR team-mate Kalle Rovanperä. Rovanperä has the opportunity to clinch the title in South America, but this would come at Evans’ expense, as the Welshman needs to finish eighth or higher to remain in the championship battle. On the 5.75km Bio Bío shakedown stage near the Concepcion service park, Evans set the fastest time, with only 0.5 seconds separating him and Rovanperä. M-Sport Ford Puma driver Pierre Louis Loubet finished third, 1.1 seconds behind Evans, while Teemu Suninen was the highest-placed Hyundai i20 N driver in fourth. Takamoto Katsuta from Toyota followed closely behind Suninen by a two-tenths of a second gap, with Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville just a single tenth further behind. Ott Tänak was seventh fastest in his Puma, ahead of Esapekka Lappi. Grégoire Munster and Alberto Heller, both making their debut in Rally1 machinery, completed the top 10.”
Source: Motorsport Week
