Watch WRC Rally Chile — Stages 1 to 6 Free.

What's at Stake

The opening day of Rally Chile marks a critical juncture in the World Rally Championship calendar as the season enters its final stretch. Competitors face the unique challenge of the sweeping, highly abrasive gravel roads around Concepción, where tire management and road position will dictate the early running order. Establishing a strong baseline on these initial six stages is vital for championship contenders looking to secure maximum points and position themselves for the weekend's decisive legs.

Form Guide

Heading into the South American gravel event, the lead manufacturers have shown highly competitive pace across recent high-speed gravel rounds. While some teams have excelled on loose surfaces, others have struggled with consistency and road-cleaning duties. The technical nature of the Chilean stages, which blend fast flowing sections with technical forest tracks, will test the recent setup developments brought by the frontrunners since the last gravel outing.

Key Players to Watch

• Thierry Neuville — The championship leader will face the daunting task of sweeping the loose gravel on the opening stages, making his road position a major hurdle to overcome.
• Ott Tänak — Renowned for his exceptional speed on fast gravel, the Estonian driver has historically performed well in Chile and will look to exploit any grip advantages from starting further back.
• Kalle Rovanperä — A master of adapting to changing grip levels, his precise driving style and favorable starting position make him a formidable threat on these technical forest roads.

Prediction

Given the sweeping effect on the dry Chilean gravel, the early road starters are likely to lose ground during the morning loop. Expect a driver starting slightly further down the running order, such as Ott Tänak or Kalle Rovanperä, to capitalize on the cleaner lines and end Stage 6 with a narrow lead. The gap at the front should remain under ten seconds as the field adapts to the highly abrasive surface.