Oliver Solberg ended Friday with a 10.1-second advantage over Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans after mastering changing weather and muddy morning trails at Rally Chile.
The Monte Carlo winner thrived as overnight rain dampened the opening stages, trading times with current championship leader Evans before building a gap on a drier afternoon loop.
Abrasive Gravel Tests Toyota Tactics
Saturday brings a drastic shift in conditions across a 139.2-kilometre route in the Biobío region. The wider, highly abrasive gravel roads will transform the event into a severe test of tyre management.
This extreme surface wear will force a careful balance between outright pace and crucial tyre preservation.
Evans enters the weekend having backed an emergency tyre allocation increase to handle the punishing Chilean terrain. He capitalised on the morning mud but struggled to match Solberg as the loose gravel dried.
“It has been an okay day really. We had a good start in tricky conditions. The afternoon maybe didn’t feel so satisfying in a way,” Evans told Motorsport.com.
Adrien Fourmaux Leads Hyundai Pursuit
Adrien Fourmaux overcame early electronic issues to hold third place overnight. The Frenchman impressed on worn rubber to keep defending world champion Sébastien Ogier at bay.
With uncertain WRC future prospects surrounding him, Fourmaux remains determined to exploit any Toyota tyre failures.
“It is unbelievable. To drive this car in those stages is one of the best things in the world. It is so nice to drive,” Fourmaux added.
Crews face two loops of three stages on Saturday, where road cleaning effects on the dry gravel will dictate the unfolding Rally Chile leaderboard.
