Rally of Chile 2026, Day 2: Solberg still leader. Ogier puts pressure on Evans

Ogier, a champion not by chance

The 2026 Chile Rally is direct confirmation of how Sébastien Ogier, the reigning world champion and winner of nine world titles, is one of the greatest names in the WRC. Starting from fourth overall on the eve of Day 2, the Frenchman from Toyota first overtook Adrien Fourmaux after a beautiful and thrilling battle with the Hyundai driver, then came close to the second position currently held by Elfyn Evans, with the Chilean round now led by Oliver Solberg. A top 3 still open to any result, but excluding (barring twists on Super Sunday) Sami Pajari, never convincing since the start of the third-to-last championship round.

Read more Solberg dominates the 2026 Chile Rally. Toyota in the legend

SS7-SS9: Solberg holds on

The second day of the Chilean rally began with three special stages held in the morning, during which Ogier’s talent emerged fully. The reigning world champion indeed achieved the best times in both SS7 and SS8, to the point of overtaking his Hyundai compatriot Adrien Fourmaux, placing himself in third overall. However, precisely in SS9, the Hyundai driver returned to the virtual podium, becoming the only representative of the Korean manufacturer in the top 3. Ahead of them, Solberg maintained the lead of the Chile Rally, albeit with some difficulties: in the first two stages, the Swede finished in fourth position, just behind Evans. The Welshman thus closed the gap on the championship leader, who however bounced back in SS9, setting the best performance just ahead of the world leader. More disappointing performances instead from Pajari, 2nd in the world standings: the Finn, arriving in Chile with the aim of recovering points on Evans after three consecutive wins, never went beyond 5th place. Finally, it is worth noting Neuville’s accident without consequences, but which forced the Belgian Hyundai driver to retire.

Read more Martin slowed down by compartment syndrome, surgery considered after the Austrian GP: «Today I could have won»

SS10-SS12: Ogier closes in on Evans

The battle between Ogier and Fourmaux for 3rd place resumed immediately in the first afternoon stage, with the nine-time world champion returning to the podium zone thanks to the best time obtained ahead of his compatriot in SS10. The gap between the two increased in SS11, at the end of which Ogier again set the best performance, coming just three tenths behind Evans in the overall standings, helped by the 4th place of the championship leader. The latter then managed to overtake the Frenchman in the last stage of the day, but without defeating Solberg; specifically, the Swede finished SS12 with the best performance, increasing the lead over Evans to almost twenty seconds ahead of Super Sunday. Once again ‘stuck’ in 5th place was Pajari, who will try to make up for it tomorrow.

Read more Norris, how bitter for the VSC: “It’s not fair, it shouldn’t decide a race”

2026 Chile Rally, standings after SS12 (Top-10)