WRC2
Rossel claims WRC2 honours as Virves tightens grip on title
Yohan Rossel celebrated his third WRC2 victory of the year – and his first on gravel – at Rally Chile BIOBÍO, finishing ahead of Robert Virves as the Estonian moved closer to claiming the 2026 title.
Having won every stage on Saturday to build a lead of almost one minute, Rossel produced a measured drive through Sunday’s finale to deliver Lancia its maiden gravel victory since returning to the WRC this season.
With little realistic hope of challenging for the lead and a buffer of more than half a minute over Gus Greensmith, Virves adopted an equally risk-free approach. The Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 driver wrapped up the WRC2 Challenger title and took another significant step towards the overall WRC2 crown.
Heading to Rally Italia Sardegna next month, only Teemu Suninen can now deny Virves the title, with the Estonian holding a 41-point advantage over his remaining rival.
Robert Virves wrapped up the WRC2 Challenger title in Chile
© At World
Greensmith celebrated his second podium in as many rallies, bringing the leading Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 home in third. The Briton had been locked in a close battle with Taylor Gill before the Australian suffered a tyre delamination on Saturday’s penultimate stage, ending his podium challenge.
Gill negotiated Sunday without further drama to finish fourth and match his best-ever WRC2 result.
Gus Greensmith claimed his second podium finish in as many rallies
© At World
Flying the home flag in fifth was multiple Chilean champion Jorge Martínez, who held off a hard-charging Diego Domínguez by just 6.8sec. Domínguez, fresh from victory in Paraguay, headed a trio of Chileans in Alberto Heller, Emilio Rosselot and Pedro Heller, with Adrien Mosca completing the top 10.
Finishing 11th and as the leading WRC Masters Cup competitor was Miguel Granados. The Mexican now trails Johannes Keferböck by just 15 points, setting up a direct showdown in Sardinia, with both crews having selected the Italian round as their final Masters scoring event of the season.
