It did not have much significance anymore, however, as Rovanperä’s rally had already gone badly wrong on the previous stage due to a puncture. Because of the puncture, Rovanperä dropped from the lead all the way down to sixth place. The Finn is now trailing the leader by two minutes and 21 seconds.
Rovanperä beat Hyundai’s Ott Tänak by 0.8 seconds. Ending Saturday with a stage win was of little consolation for the Finn.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. Naturally, the disappointment was huge on the previous stage. However, I am used to disappointments this year, as there have already been so many this season,” Rovanperä said desolately.
From a Finnish perspective the day was a huge disappointment, but without the blue-and-white glasses, in Paraguay there is still a fantastic fight for victory underway.
Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier heads into the final day in the lead. His gap to Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux is a modest 10.3 seconds. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans remains third overall, with Hyundai’s Ott Tänak in fourth place. Evans is trailing the leader by 36.6 seconds and Tänak by 39.1 seconds.
Rain is expected on Sunday. That could change everything, as in Paraguay rain is reminiscent of Safari Rally conditions. The roads deteriorate drastically in the wet.
“It could change absolutely everything,” Sébastien Ogier reminded.
In WRC2, Toyota’s Oliver Solberg ended the day very strongly and even moved ahead of Yohan Rossel. Estonian Robert Virves still leads the category.
Four more special stages remain to be driven on Sunday at Rally Paraguay.
Rally Paraguay standings after SS15/19:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | 2.17.20,5 |
| 2. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +10.3 |
| 3. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +36.6 |
| 4. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +39.1 |
| 5. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +46.8 |
| 6. | Kalle Rovanperä | Hyundai | +2.21.2 |
| 7. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +3.16.2 |
| 8. | Robert Virves | Skoda | +5.30.8 |
| 9. | Oliver Solberg | Toyota | +5.37.3 |
| 10. | Yohan Rossel | Citroen | +5.38.0 |
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
