Watch WRC Rally Chile — Shakedown Free.

What's at Stake

The shakedown stage of Rally Chile serves as the crucial final opportunity for drivers to fine-tune their vehicle setups before tackling the high-speed, technical gravel roads of South America. As the World Rally Championship enters its critical latter phase, securing the right balance on these fast, flowing forest tracks is vital for teams looking to maximize their points haul and gain an early psychological edge over their championship rivals.

Form Guide

Heading into the South American gravel fixture, the battle at the top of the standings remains highly competitive, with the leading manufacturers showing closely matched pace on loose surfaces. Recent events have rewarded drivers who can master high-speed sweeping corners while managing tire wear, making this shakedown a critical test of recent aerodynamic and suspension updates designed for Chile's unique, cambered roads.

Key Players to Watch

• Kalle Rovanperä — The Finnish driver's natural affinity for high-speed, flowing gravel tracks makes him a benchmark competitor on this terrain.
• Thierry Neuville — A consistent title contender who will look to establish a comfortable rhythm early on to protect his championship aspirations.
• Ott Tänak — Known for his aggressive driving style, the Estonian thrives on fast forest stages and will be pushing to find the absolute limit of grip during the warm-up.

Prediction

Expect the Toyota Gazoo Racing crews to set the pace during this shakedown, utilizing their car's proven stability on fast, sweeping gravel. Kalle Rovanperä is predicted to top the shakedown timesheets by a narrow margin, establishing himself as the driver to beat heading into the competitive stages. The extremely close times among the top five runners will signal a highly contested rally ahead.