Andreas Mikkelsen dominates Chile shakedown

Images of the shakedown Rally from Chile have often brought to mind other tests of the WRC, notably the Wales Rally GB, as the wet conditions were present during the first laps of this brand new event on the calendar.

On a drying course, however, Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai), second during the last Rally Argentina, dominated the debates on this day by completing the 6,45 km on the menu in 4'46″4 in his best passage, the third.

The Norwegian is ahead of both Toyota YarisOtt Tänak and Jari-Matti Latvala, pointed at 1″ and 1″2, while Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Elfyn Evans (M-Sport Ford) complete the top 5 at 2″6 and 3″7 respectively.

Behind Kris Meeke (Toyota), Sébastien Ogier is the best representative of Citroën Racing in seventh position with his C3 WRC, and gives up a full 4″ to Mikkelsen. The reigning world champion is ahead of his compatriot Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai), back behind the wheel of the i20 this weekend.

The Frenchman completed five passes, just like Elfyn Evans, who set her benchmark time on her last attempt.

Teemu Suninen (M-Sport Ford) and Esapekka Lappi (Citroën) bring up the rear in the WRC. In WRC2 Pro, Kalle Rovenperä (Skoda Fabia R5) is provisional leader, just like Jorge Martinez Fontena (Skoda Fabia R5) in WRC2.

The ranking may still change in the coming minutes.

#WRC  Final #Shakedown teams

1.  #Mikkelsen
2. Tanak +1.0
3. Latvala +1.2
4.  #Neuville +2.6
5. Evans +3.7
6. Meeke +3.9
7. Ogier +4.0
8.  #Loeb +4.5
9. Suninen +5.4
10. Lappi +5.5#HMSGOfficial #RallyChile

— Hyundai Motorsport (@HMSGOfficial) May 9, 2019