2026 WRC Round 12, Rally Chile Saturday: Solberg leads by 19.1 seconds as Ogier closes on Evans

After Saturday’s six stages covering 139.2 kilometres, Solberg continued to lead Rally Chile in 2 hours 17 minutes 09.5 seconds, 19.1 seconds ahead of Evans. Ogier was third, just 1.3 seconds behind Evans, with Fourmaux fourth, 31.1 seconds off the lead. Pajari was fifth, 44.4 seconds behind Fourmaux.

Two long-stage victories extend Solberg’s lead

Saturday’s stages were south of Concepción, across the Biobío River, with three roads each run twice. The surfaces were rough and tyre wear substantial. The longest stage, María las Cruces, measured 28.31 kilometres, and teams were permitted to exchange used tyres for up to two new ones before the third stage of each loop. Solberg’s advantage narrowed on the first two morning tests, but he went fastest on María las Cruces to reach midday service 10.1 seconds ahead of Evans, exactly as he had begun the day.

Solberg won the second pass of María las Cruces again in the afternoon, extending his advantage over Evans to 19.1 seconds. Evans was second-fastest on the final stage to retain second overall, but felt he might have been too conservative in managing his tyres on the rough roads.

Ogier closes to within 1.3 seconds of Evans

Ogier topped both opening morning stages and briefly passed Fourmaux for third, before Fourmaux reclaimed the position on María las Cruces. Ogier won the first two afternoon stages as well, but secured third only after the second pass of the long test, extending his advantage over Fourmaux to 10.7 seconds. He was now only 1.3 seconds behind Evans, leaving the podium fight between team-mates unresolved.

Crashes and restarts alter the order further back

Neuville ran off the road and rolled at a high-speed corner on Pelún, Saturday’s opening stage. He and co-driver Wydaeghe were unhurt, but damage to the car ended their day. The FIA’s provisional Saturday classification therefore did not list a normal aggregate time for him. Katsuta had restarted after being stranded on Friday’s opening stage. Running near the front, he swept loose gravel from the road and still set top-six times on some stages, but mandatory time additions left his overall position far from the victory contenders.

Lappi moved into sixth and McErlean seventh, the latter’s total including a 10-second penalty. Armstrong rolled on SS8. After spectators helped put the car back on its wheels, the crew drove slowly to the stage finish. An inspection on the subsequent road section revealed cooling-system damage, forcing them to retire for the day. M-Sport needed to repair the car for him to restart on Sunday.

Four stages scheduled for Sunday

Sunday comprises two passes each of the new Carampangue stage and the returning Biobío, with the second pass of the latter serving as the Power Stage.

Rally1 cumulative results after Saturday’s stages

Rally1 cumulative results after Saturday’s stages