Ogier Triumphs Over Rovanperä in Intense Toyota Showdown
The rally scene intensified as Sébastien Ogier dominated day one, securing his lead during the event’s six challenging stages. This year’s competition spanned nearly 100 kilometers and took place across three countries, showcasing diverse road conditions.
Ogier’s Commanding Performance
The eight-time world champion utilized his extensive experience to maintain his position at the top. Despite a minor reduction in his lead during the afternoon loop, Ogier concluded the day as the frontrunner. “It’s been more challenging than normal opening the road on Tarmac,” he remarked, noting the difficulties posed by dust shifting on the tracks.
Rovanperä’s Strong Challenge
Kalle Rovanperä excelled in the afternoon sessions, winning two stages at Col de Jan and Böhmerwald. The Finnish driver appeared more comfortable on the cleaner asphalt surfaces of Austria and Germany. “When it’s clean and proper Tarmac driving, I enjoy it so much,” Rovanperä expressed.
Podium Finishers
- Elfyn Evans: Secured third place, celebrating his co-driver Scott Martin’s 200th WRC start. He finished the final stage 10.86 kilometers long under dark conditions, reducing his gap to the leaders to 29.5 seconds.
- Ott Tänak: Finished fourth in his Hyundai i20 N, just 3.3 seconds behind Evans.
- Takamoto Katsuta: Rounded out the top five, trailing Tänak by 2.9 seconds.
Toyota Gazoo Racing has solidified its position, taking four of the top five spots. They have a chance to clinch the manufacturers’ championship, provided that Hyundai does not outperform them by six points this weekend.
Mixed Results for Hyundai
Adrien Fourmaux placed sixth for Hyundai, showing promise with the second-fastest time in SS7 after earlier struggles. His teammate, Thierry Neuville faced challenges throughout the day, wrestling with a flapping bonnet and a puncture due to a heavy landing. He ended the day in eighth place, acknowledging his difficulties: “I’m struggling, I just can’t find the confidence.”
Grégoire Munster’s rally ended prematurely with his retirement due to broken suspension. His teammate, Josh McErlean, finished ninth after a challenging day marked by a learning curve.
WRC2 Standings
Oliver Solberg, the newly crowned WRC2 champion, claimed the tenth position, though he is not eligible for points. Alejandro Cachón led the WRC2 standings after a competitive day.
Looking Ahead
Saturday promises to be the longest day of the rally, featuring six stages totaling 103.64 kilometers across Germany and the Czech Republic. As teams prepare for another day of competition, the anticipation builds for further thrilling moments in this intense Toyota showdown.
