The first stage of the gravel rally was cancelled after only three cars. The reason was that spectators were standing in dangerous places along the stage.
Among the top drivers in the World Rally Championship, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, as well as Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier, completed the Pulperia stage at competitive speed. Other drivers, starting with Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, drove the stage as a liaison and were given the opportunity to make an extra check of their pace notes.
Ogier was the fastest driver among the top three in the championship on the opening stage, as he beat Tänak by 9.1 seconds and Neuville by 10.5 seconds. Eventually, all the other drivers who didn’t drive the stage at competitive speed were also given the same notional time as Neuville.
Ogier was the fastest driver among the championship’s top trio on the opening stage, beating Tänak by 9.1 seconds and Neuville by 10.5 seconds. At the end of the stage, Ogier expressed his displeasure by giving only a brief comment in the TV interview.
“All good, good start,” Ogier responded, giving a thumbs up.
It seems Ogier has decided to show his discontent with the suspended fine he received after Rally Greece in this way. Ogier criticised the finish-line interview after the opening stage of the Acropolis Rally, stating that drivers were suffering from dust in the air due to the short intervals between starting times.
The stewards ruled at the end of the event that Ogier’s statement harmed the World Rally Championship and the FIA. Ogier will have to pay a €30,000 fine if he is deemed to damage the WRC with his comments again within the next two years.
Read more: Sebastien Ogier stands firm: “If I have to, I’ll take them to court”
The second stage of Rally Chile starts at 14:30 CET.
Rally Chile standings after SS1/16:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | 9:59.1 |
| 2. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +9.1 |
| 3. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +10.5 |
| x. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +10.5 |
| x. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +10.5 |
| x. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +10.5 |
| x. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +10.5 |
| x. | Esapekka Lappi | Hyundai | +10.5 |
| x. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +10.5 |
| x. | Martins Sesks | Ford | +10.5 |
Rally Chile itinerary (CET):
Thursday, 26 Sept: 13:31 Shakedown: Conuco (6.79 km) Friday, 27 Sept: 13:35 SS1: Pulperia 1 (19.72 km) 14:30 SS2: Rere 1 (13.34 km) 15:21 SS3: San Rosendo 1 (23.32 km) 18:11 Service (30 min) 19:46 SS4: Pulperia 2 (19.72 km) 20:41 SS5: Rere 2 (13.34 km) 21:32 SS6: San Rosendo 2 (23.32 km) Saturday, 28 Sept: 14:07 SS7: Pelun 1 (15.65 km) 15:01 SS8: Lota 1 (25.64 km) 16:05 SS9: Maria las Cruces 1 (28.31 km) 18:37 Service (30 min) 20:07 SS10: Pelun 2 (15.65 km) 21:01 SS11: Lota 2 (25.64 km) 22:05 SS12: Maria las Cruces 2 (28.31 km) Sunday, 29 Sept: 13:23 SS13: Laraquete 1 (18.62 km) 14:35 SS14: Bio Bio 1 (8.78 km) 15:35 SS15: Laraquete 2 (18.62 km) 18:15 SS16: Bio Bio 2 (8.78 km) Power Stage
