Adrien Fourmaux claimed the lead of Rally Chile Bio Bío after engine failure for colleague Ott Tänak on Friday’s final stage handed the Hyundai driver a slender 1.0sec advantage over team-mate Thierry Neuville.<br /><br />The Frenchman inherited the top spot when Tänak pulled up 5.6 kilometres into the day's longest test, ending what had been a commanding performance from the Estonian - who had built an advantage of nearly 10sec after overhauling championship leader Elfyn Evans' morning advantage.<br /><br />"I can only be pleased because I think it is the first time we are leading a rally at the end of the first day, so it is positive for us but it is a shame for Ott," said Fourmaux, who is chasing down his first-ever FIA World Rally Championship victory. “Tomorrow is going to be a different day, so let’s see.”<br /><br />Neuville sat second in his similar i20 N Rally1 after a transformed afternoon following major set-up changes between loops. The Belgian struggled in the morning but found his rhythm as conditions dried, describing his car as “way better” despite admitting he was "still far from good.”<br /><br />Sébastien Ogier delivered the day's standout individual performance with a stunning stage win on SS6, beating Neuville by 3.1sec and climbing from fifth to third overall. Making his 200th WRC start this week, the eight-time world champion was another to make midday set-up adjustments after a muted morning.<br /><br />“I kept pushing all day and this morning I was already on the limit, and in this last stage I cannot do more," reflected Ogier, who trails Fourmaux by just 2.3sec heading into Saturday.
