Kalle Rovanperä is the absolute favourite in the 2023 WRC season – but Elfyn Evans is not giving up yet and will give everything to catch up with the leader
With three rounds of the 2023 World Rally Championship (WRC) remaining, Toyota driver Kalle Rovanperä holds all the aces to secure his second title. The Finn has a 33-point lead over his team-mate Elfyn Evans, who warns Rovanperä not to be complacent, as the Welshman wants to attack in the remaining rounds and put the leader under pressure once again. It is “not impossible” to beat Rovanperä, Evans said.
The current WRC champion has won three rallies so far and with his latest triumph in Greece he has extended his lead in the overall standings to a comfortable 33 points. Evans, in second place, remains at least within striking distance if the Finn should stumble at the top. At the same time, Rovanperä can become an early champion at the Rally Chile with a win and at least third place on the Power Stage – but Evans would also have to go home without points for that.
Time seems to be running out for Evans, but the Welshman still believes he can turn the 2023 title fight into a real thriller. On the gravel tracks of Chile, the Toyota driver wants to “give it his all one more time” to keep his title hopes alive. “We have to close this big gap if we want to still have a chance at the end of the year,” says Evans, who has been victorious in Croatia and Finland so far.
“It’s not impossible, but we’re now in a phase where Kalle has to make little mistakes here and there,” said the team-mate of the championship leader. “Besides, we have to win these rallies.” As long as there is still a mathematical chance, Evans continues to believe he can become world champion. “Kalle is driving incredibly well and it will be difficult, no doubt, but that doesn’t mean we can give up.”
The WRC last hosted Chile in 2019, so some drivers should be familiar with the special stages in South America. However, with the exception of one stage, the rally has been completely redesigned, so the 2023 Rally Chile will be new territory for all drivers. For this reason, a tight grid is expected, especially as Rovanperä was still driving a Rally2 car in Chile in 2019.
“We have to look at Chile like a new rally,” says Evans. “There is very little past experience we can draw on. I’m looking forward to it because it’s already been a great event in 2019.” The Rally Chile consists of 16 special stages in total. The shakedown will take place on Thursday, 28 September, with the first classified stage following on Friday, 29 September. The decision in Chile will be made on Sunday, 1 October 2023.
