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may 11, 2019 - Msport

Tough opener in Chile

Press release available only in original language. 

M-Sport Ford World #rally Team's #elfynevans and #teemusuninen have completed a tough opening day at Chile's inaugural #fiaworldrallychampionship #event – currently holding seventh and ninth places respectively.

Evans got off to a strong start – showing the potential of the #ecoboostpoweredfordfiestawrc in the slippery conditions with the third fastest time through the opening speed test.

Becoming locked in an intense battle with fellow Brit #krismeeke, the pairing were never separated by more than a handful of seconds and it looked as though the Welshman would have the better of the Northern Irishman heading into the afternoon loop – two seconds up on the splits through the second pass of El Puma (SS4).

But Evans missed out on the penultimate stage with a lack of confidence in the pacenotes he made in thick fog during the pre-event reconnaissance. Falling adrift of Meeke, Evans also fell behind nine-time World Champion Sébastien Loeb – what could have been fifth place becoming seventh at the end of the day.

Suninen was also locked in an intense battle for position, and had the better of Andreas Mikkelsen through the penultimate stage – securing eighth place and a more favourable road position for tomorrow's loose stages before the Norwegian took back the position in the closing Super Special.

Further information in the press release to download