Evans second in Chile as Neuville edges closer to WRC title

Belgian Thierry Neuville took another step towards what would be his first World Rally Championship title as he finished fourth in his Hyundai at Rally Chile.

Finland's Kalle Rovanpera took a 15.1-second lead into the final day and went on to triumph as Toyota's Welshman Elfyn Evans paid the price for slipping behind his team-mate in Saturday's fog.

Conditions were also difficult on Sunday and while Evans produced some of the day's best driving, team-mate Rovanpera outclassed the field.

Estonia's Ott Tanak moved up a place to second overall with Frenchman Sebastien Ogier third despite being forced to retire on Saturday because of suspension issues. Ogier was back in action on Sunday, winning all four power stages to boost his points tally.

Evans led overnight after Friday's opening stages, and remained second in Chile to stay fourth in the title race, but with hopes of winning the crown increasingly slim.

But with only two events left in the 2024 calendar - the Central Europe Rally and Rally Japan - Neuville can afford to drop points and still win the title.

The Central Europe Rally has stages in Czechoslovakia, Germany and Austria from 17-20 October before the teams head to Japan from 21-24 November.

1. Thierry Neuville (Belgium) Hyundai, 207 points

3. Ott Tanak (Estonia) Hyundai, 178

3 Sebastien Ogier (France) Toyota, 166

4. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) Toyota, 161

5. Adrien Fourmaux (France) Ford, 150

6. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland) Toyota, 114