Rovanpera Excels in SS9, Tanak Criticizes Hyundai

WRC, Sportrik Media - Kalle Rovanpera delivered a stellar performance in Special Stage 9 (SS9) at Rally del Paraguay 2025, extending his lead at the top. Meanwhile, Ott Tanak of Hyundai faced a major setback after a puncture, leading him to criticize his team’s strategy.

Rovanpera’s Dominant Run

Rovanpera, driving for Toyota, set the fastest time in SS9, solidifying his lead in Rally del Paraguay. His consistent pace on Paraguay’s fast and technical stages has made him nearly untouchable. With a 16.7-second advantage over Sebastien Ogier, Rovanpera remains focused on tire management. “Many sections were very tricky, but we kept our rhythm,” he said, highlighting the challenges of the abrasive afternoon stages.

Meanwhile, Ogier continues to pressure Adrien Fourmaux of M-Sport Ford for second place, trailing by just 0.5 seconds. This tight battle adds intensity to the rally, with three stages remaining on Saturday.

Tanak’s Frustration with Hyundai

Ott Tanak suffered a major blow in SS9 when a rear-left puncture midway through the stage cost him over 30 seconds. Choosing to continue without changing the tire, he dropped to sixth place, 48.9 seconds behind Rovanpera. “We had a puncture on a tough stage and had to drive a long way like that,” Tanak lamented. He also took a swipe at his team, noting, “We had no spare tire left, so we just tried to reach the service.”

Tanak’s focus has shifted to chasing fourth place, battling Elfyn Evans (8.3 seconds ahead) and teammate Thierry Neuville (3.7 seconds ahead). “We’ll try to put pressure on Elfyn and Thierry. Tomorrow’s still a long day,” Tanak said, signaling his determination to recover.

WRC2 Dynamics and Race Outlook

In WRC2, Nikolay Gryazin overtook Yohan Rossel to lead by 6.7 seconds, with Robert Virves just 0.5 seconds behind Rossel. Oliver Solberg climbed to fourth, intensifying the competition in the category.

With three stages left on Saturday and a full day on Sunday, Rally del Paraguay promises fierce battles. Sportrik’s analysis suggests tire management and strategic decisions will be pivotal on Paraguay’s abrasive stages. Tanak remains a threat to climb the order, while Rovanpera must stay vigilant to maintain his lead.

Follow WRC updates at Sportrik for in-depth analysis of Rally del Paraguay 2025.