Oliver Solberg reduced Sebastien Ogier’s Rally Islas Canarias lead to 5.3s as rain threatened to shake up the order on Saturday morning.
Nine-time world champion Ogier kicked off the loop with an 8.9s lead but faced a strong challenge from his chasing Toyota team-mates Solberg and Elfyn Evans.
Evans, sitting in fourth overall, claimed the opening stage that proved to be a wake-up call for the crews given its high speed committed sections.
Evans managed to pip Solberg to the stage win by 0.1s, but the pair were both faster than rally leader Ogier, as the Frenchman witnessed his lead over Solberg cut to 7.3s. For Evans, the time helped him leapfrog Toyota team-mate Sami Pajari to third overall.
Rain showers increased the challenges for the drivers on stage 10 but it was Evans that coped with the changeable grip the best. The Welshman produced a stunning effort that was 4.4s faster than Ogier, and 2.5s quicker than Solberg.
The time hauled Evans right into the victory fight, 10.3s behind Ogier and only 4.9s behind second placed Solberg.
However, Evans’ hard work came undone in the 28.9km final stage of the loop that was also impacted by rain, as last year’s title runner-up dropped time to both Ogier and Solberg.
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Ogier appeared to be on course to take the stage win but the rain intensified in the final split, resulting in the Frenchman finishing the stage 0.1s slower than Solberg. Although frustrated to be caught out by the rain, Ogier was satisfied to keep his lead intact, albeit a reduced margin of 5.3s.
“The wake-up call in the first stage was not easy but expected although it is never easy to be on the limit,” said Ogier. “Then the second stage was more tricky with the damp rainy conditions and in this one I took it a bit easier and tried not to do a mistake. I lost some ground but it was under control.
“I tried to give a bit more push in the last stage because I enjoy this long stage and it had a new section where you can make the difference. It was looking good until the last split but some rain drops came.
“This is the little frustrations that can happen sometimes in rally but you have to quickly look forward. It will be important to keep being consistent and fast this afternoon.”
Solberg was relatively happy with his morning’s work but felt there is still more to do to catch Ogier.
“I’m kind of happy. I know the gap has come down but the feeling is not the best and it is quite tricky out there and I keep doing small mistakes,” said Solberg, “I tried my best and it was not so bad.”
Evans was 8.0s shy of Solberg’s pace in stage 11, which left the driver 18.2s from the overall lead held by Ogier.
Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
“It has been very tricky and very different conditions in each of the stages and I struggled in that long stage so I’m disappointed and that is where we need to work clearly,” said Evans, who also said the feeling behind the wheel was better than yesterday.
While the top three Toyotas pulled away, Pajari found himself cut adrift of the pack, ending the morning 5.8s ahead of Takamoto Katsuta who is in fifth. Championship leader Katsuta managed to halve the gap to his team-mate despite rounding a roundabout twice instead of once in stage 11.
Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux climbed to sixth overall [+1m24.8s] as the Frenchman was clearly the fastest i20 N Rally1. The Frenchman moved ahead of Dani Sordo in the opening test.
“It was a very challenging morning loop. Personally I am on the same performance as yesterday,” said Fourmaux.
Neuville said he had “no speed” in the conditions as his struggles for balance continued. The 2024 world champion held onto eighth [+1m51.6s].
The top 10 was completed by M-Sport-Ford due Josh McErlean [+2m52.3s] and Jon Armstrong [+3m12.3s].
In WRC2, Lancia’s Yohan Rossel remained in command, extending his lead to 28.8s over Spain’s Alejandro Cachon.
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.