# 2026 WRC championship battle in Chile

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-wrc-championship-battle-in-chile
> Updated: 2026-09-10T02:55:53.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

The 2026 Rally Chile Biobío, the penultimate event of the season, has commenced. The championship battle has intensified into a duel between Toyota teammates Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari. Evans maintains a 20-point lead over Pajari, who carries momentum from three consecutive victories in Estonia, Finland, and Paraguay.

Oliver Solberg remains a mathematical contender, trailing Evans by 41 points with three rallies remaining in the season. For Toyota Gazoo Racing, the event is a pivotal opportunity to secure its 10th manufacturers' title.

The rally consists of over 310 kilometers of competitive stages, with approximately 40 percent of the route being new for this edition. Drivers must contend with hard surfaces that test tire durability and unpredictable weather conditions. Additionally, Toyota has announced a personnel change: navigator James Fulton will replace Aaron Johnston, who has been sidelined with a fractured collarbone.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: WRC Rally Chile intensifies championship battle between Evans and Pajari

The WRC championship intensifies at Rally Chile, where Toyota's Elfyn Evans defends a 20-point lead against surging Sami Pajari in a crucial battle for the drivers' title.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wrc-championship-battle-intensifies-ahead-of-chile-rally

### 2026-09-07: Rally Chile 2026 schedule and championship implications announced

The 2026 Rally Chile will feature 16 special stages over three days, serving as a decisive event for the WRC championship title race involving drivers like Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rally-chile-2026-schedule-and-championship-implications-announced

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Cite as: 2026 WRC championship battle in Chile. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-wrc-championship-battle-in-chile