Rovanperä ended Saturday morning with the fifth fastest time on the short Autodromo stage. Behind the Finn, in second place, is Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, 16.7 seconds adrift.
“I’m not completely satisfied. I could have driven better. There were also many sections with very little grip, including this last short stage. I just couldn’t find the grip. In the afternoon, tyre wear could be a problem,” said Rovanperä.
Fourmaux is currently locked in a fierce battle for second place with his compatriot Sébastien Ogier. Toyota’s veteran driver is only 0.5 seconds behind Fourmaux.
“He still has to try, and anything can happen in the afternoon. I’m satisfied with my morning, but in some places I’ve struggled with grip,” summarised Fourmaux.
“I don’t think there was more I could have done. After yesterday’s puncture, this is definitely the maximum result. In the afternoon we’ll need to adjust the car a bit to the conditions, but I’m very happy with my car,” Ogier commented.
There is also a tight fight for fourth place. At the moment, Toyota’s Elfyn Evans holds fourth, but Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville is just 4.6 seconds behind. Ott Tänak, who suffered a puncture, is also making his way back into the leading battle. Tänak trails Evans by only 8.3 seconds.
Toyota’s Sami Pajari is running seventh overall, ahead of Nikolai Gryazin, who leads the WRC2 category.
On Saturday, Rally Paraguay still has three more special stages to run. The rally will conclude on Sunday.
Rally Paraguay standings after SS12/19:
| POS. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | 1:47:43.1 |
| 2. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +16.7 |
| 3. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +17.2 |
| 4. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +40.8 |
| 5. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +45.4 |
| 6. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +49.1 |
| 7. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +3:03.8 |
| 8. | Nikolay Gryazin | Skoda | +4:21.1 |
| 9. | Yohan Rossel | Citroen | +4:27.8 |
| 10. | Robert Virves | Skoda | +4:28.3 |
Rally Paraguay itinerary (CET):
Thursday 28 August
14:01 Shakedown: Trinidad (4.92 km)
Friday 29 August
13:03 SS1: Cambyretá 1 (18.70 km)
14:01 SS2: Nueva Alborada 1 (19.25 km)
15:00 SS3: Yerbatera 1 (30.00 km)
16:01 SS4: Autódromo 1 (2.50 km)
17:11 Service (40 min)
18:34 SS5: Cambyretá 2 (18.70 km)
19:32 SS6: Nueva Alborada 2 (19.25 km)
20:31 SS7: Yerbatera 2 (30.00 km)
21:44 SS8: Autódromo 2 (2.50 km)
Saturday 30 August
12:35 SS9: Carmen del Paraná 1 (18.67 km)
13:38 SS10: Artigas 1 (22.73 km)
15:16 SS11: Cantera 1 (13.74 km)
16:35 SS12: Autódromo 3 (2.50 km)
17:35 Service (40 min)
19:05 SS13: Carmen del Paraná 2 (18.67 km)
20:08 SS14: Artigas 2 (22.73 km)
21:46 SS15: Cantera 2 (13.74 km)
Sunday 31 August
13:29 SS16: Bella Vista 1 (21.25 km)
15:05 SS17: Misión Jesuítica Trinidad 1 (18.50 km)
16:02 SS18: Bella Vista 2 (21.25 km)
18:15 SS19: Misión Jesuítica Trinidad 2 (18.50 km) *Power Stage
