WRC star retires as Tanak Formox Rally Rally takes Chile lead

Adrian Formox Hyundai leads the team-met Thierry neurvilleA dramatic Friday afternoon by a suspected engine issue for the claimant of the World Rally Championship title Oat Tanak,

Formox inherited the rally leads after the stage six problems after the tanak, which to finish the day with a second edge on the neurville, which began an impressive fightback after an disappointing morning. Toyota Sebastian ogier Climbing third (+2.3s) during the championship leader Elephin Evans The rally fell from the lead to the fifth, 13.1s adrift.

“I can only be happy because I think this is the first time we are leading a rally at the end of the first day, so it is positive for us, but it’s a shame for OTT,” said the formox.

“It is a matter of shame for the team because it would be good to be 1-2-3 tonight, but tomorrow it is going to be a different day, so let’s see.”

The moist situations took favor to those at the top of the road order in the morning, but in the afternoon the conditions were flipped as the stages of Chile’s gravel. This meant that the people in front were very impressed with loose gravel.

Evans took advantage of 0.5s in the afternoon loop, but his time in the lead was short -lived. Welshman dropped 8.9S in stage four while Tanak posted the third fastest time. This was enough for the vault to Tanak in a 6.9S lead over the Evans.

Evans lost time while sweeping the road in the stage five, and later fell to the fourth position behind the trio of Hiundes. Tanak gave a stunning drive to win the stage from Formox to 0.6S and went to his team partner to 9.7S lead, back 4.4S in the third.

However, Tanak’s impressive run suddenly ended, when his i20 N suffered a possible engine issue after 3G effects, 5.6 km 23.32 km in San Rousndo 2 Stage. Estonians were forced to pull on the roadside, with the formox handed over the lead.

Hyundai’s technical director Francois-XAwear Demisson said, “We don’t have much information, but he called (OTT) to say on the radio to say that it was an engine failure. We have no data so we have to wait for the car to come back to service and analyze.”

“We will try to get him out tomorrow because he has lost only one phase and many things can still be given and the marks are to be given on Sunday. The weather (forecasted rain) will probably help us a little.”

Tanak’s death created a thrilling battle for the lead, as the formox hung for benefits from the neurville, who enjoyed a very strong performance after the morning handling and transmission issues, inspiring them to labeled their car “nightmare”. Belgium, which was 14.5S adrift after the morning loop, showed the car from an infection and sponge change in the midday service.

“This was a better way, but still well with good honest, cleaning the road situation and when it is a clean line I somehow drive the car, but when it is loose there there is no confidence,” said the neurville.

“A very challenging day, but it ended on a positive note. Unfortunately I don’t know what happened to the OTT, but I saw that the car is standing on the shore, it’s very unfortunate for him.”

After accepting that he went in the wrong direction on the set up for the morning loop, the Ogier bounced back in the afternoon. The eight -time world champion posted a blistering time to win stage six to win, to end only 2.3S on Friday.

Evans termed the afternoon a “big struggle”, but the Toyota was able to finish fifth behind the team-mate. Sami PajariWho took the fastest time in stage four.

Takmoto katsususa Got speed in the afternoon to complete the loop in sixth (+41.0s), beyond M-Sport Gregor Munter Who enjoyed a very strong performance in his Ford Puma. Two -time world championKalle Rowanpar After losing over a minute, finished eighth after losing, when he knocked on the tire from Rim in stage three, while leading after winning the initial two phases.

Top 10 was scored by the WRC2 leader Oliver solberg And Josh McAlen of M-Sport, who lost time for a spin in stage one and a left rear puncture in stage six. The expectations of Solberg’s WRC title were promoted by retirement of rivals Yohan rosel (Engine oil leak) and Gus greensomith (engine).

However, Nicole grizin The 10.4S title is in controversy behind Solberg.

The crew was awaited on Saturday in the six phases of 139.20 km.