With three rounds still remaining in the 2023 World Rally Championship (WRC), Toyota driver Kalle Rovanperä has all the trump cards in his hand to secure his second title.
The Finn’s lead over his teammate Elfyn Evans is 33 points, who warns Rovanperä not to feel safe because the Welshman wants to attack in the remaining runs and put the leader under pressure again. It is “not impossible” to beat Rovanperä, said Evans.
The current WRC champion has won three rallies so far and, with his recent triumph in Greece, extended his lead in the overall standings to a comfortable 33 points. In second place, Evans at least remains within striking distance should the Finn at the front stumble, as expected.
Will Rovanperä secure the title in Chile?
At the same time, Rovanperä can become an early champion in the Rally Chile with a win and at least third place on the Power Stage – although Evans would also have to go home without points to do so.
Time seems to be running out for Evans, but the Welshman still believes he can turn the 2023 title fight into a real thriller. On the gravel roads of Chile, the Toyota driver wants to “give his all again” to keep his title hopes alive. “We have to close this big gap if we want to have a chance at the end of the year,” says Evans, who has so far been victorious in Croatia and Finland.
“It’s not impossible, but we are now in a phase in which Kalle has to make small mistakes here and there,” said the championship leader’s teammate. “We also have to win these rallies.” As long as there is still a mathematical chance, Evans continues to believe that he can become world champion. “Kalle is driving incredibly well and it will undoubtedly be difficult, but that doesn’t mean we can give up.”
Chile rally “uncharted territory” for all drivers
The WRC last visited Chile in 2019, which is why some drivers may be familiar with the special stages in South America. However, the rally has been completely redesigned except for one stage, which is why the 2023 Rally Chile will be new territory for all drivers. For this reason, a tight starting field is expected, especially since Rovanperä was still driving a Rally2 car in Chile in 2019.
“We have to look at Chile like a new rally,” says Evans. “There is hardly any experience from the past that we can fall back on. I’m looking forward to it because it was already a great event in 2019.”
The Rally Chile consists of a total of 16 special stages. The shakedown will take place on Thursday, September 28th, with the first ranked stage following on Friday, September 29th. The decision in Chile will be made on Sunday, October 1, 2023.