Rovanpera Leads Paraguay Rally, Faces Hyundai Threat

WRC, Sportrik Media - Kalle Rovanpera holds the lead at Rally del Paraguay 2025 after Friday’s stages, but faces intense pressure from Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux and Ott Tanak. With seven special stages scheduled for Saturday, the battle for the top spot in this inaugural WRC event is set to intensify.

Rovanpera’s Steady Lead

Rovanpera, representing Toyota, maintained his lead on Friday night despite not always setting the fastest times. His ability to avoid major issues on Paraguay’s demanding gravel stages has kept him ahead, leading Fourmaux by a slim 7.1 seconds. Fourmaux, who showed impressive pace, lost time due to a puncture in the penultimate stage but held onto second place.

Reflecting on his performance, Fourmaux said, “The afternoon went smoothly, though we had two punctures. Luckily, they happened near the stage ends, so we kept second place.” He added, “Our speed was strong, and we’ll aim to match that on Saturday to catch Kalle.”

Hyundai and Toyota’s Tight Battle

Tanak, in third, trails closely behind Fourmaux, keeping Hyundai’s challenge alive. Meanwhile, Sebastien Ogier of Toyota suffered a puncture in the second stage, losing over 30 seconds and now sits 17.8 seconds behind Rovanpera. Elfyn Evans, also from Toyota, is fifth, 21.1 seconds off the lead.

Fourmaux has a clear strategy for Saturday. “The gap is small, and we had good speed today. We’ll try to keep that pace to challenge Kalle,” he asserted. Sportrik’s analysis highlights that Paraguay’s fast stages demand precise tire management, especially with seven special stages on Saturday that could shift the rally’s dynamics.

With tight gaps between the leaders, Rally del Paraguay promises a thrilling contest. Rovanpera must stay cautious to fend off Fourmaux and Tanak, while Ogier and Evans could climb higher if they avoid further issues. Track conditions and strategic decisions will play a pivotal role in the upcoming stages.

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