› Estonians Robert Virves and co-driver Jakko Viilo (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) finish the twelfth round of the FIA World Rally Championship second in WRC2.
› Their new Toksport WRT team mates, Taylor Gill and navigator Daniel Brkic from Australia, reach fourth position on their second event only with the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
› Home hero Jorge Martínez Fontena and Argentinian co-driver Rubén García drive CBTech Rally Team’s Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 to fifth in WRC2.
Concepción (CHI), 14 September 2026 – With second place on Rally Chile Bio Bío, Robert Virves and co-driver Jakko Viilo on one side extended their lead in the WRC2 overall classification. The result also helped them to finish the twelfth round of the FIA World Rally Championship as new champions of the WRC2 Challenger classification*.
With Chile just switching from South American winter to spring, the weather threw additional challenges to the WRC2 crews. During the opening leg on Friday, the stages around Concepción changed from rain-soaked mud in the morning to increasingly dry and abrasive gravel during the afternoon.
WRC2 overall leaders Robert Virves and co-driver Jakko Viilo experienced a difficult start into their Rally Chile Bio Bío debut. “Something is not working, I don't know what. I tried to drive. But somehow I have no chance to carry any speed,“ Robert Virves wondered. At the end of the second leg, the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 was holding second position in WRC2. But the gap to eventual winners Yohan Rossel/Arnaud Dunand stood at nearly one minute. “I'm really struggling this weekend with the driving. Somehow I‘m not able to get any feeling,“ Robert Virves admitted. The 26-year-old Estonian decided for a clever approach and did not take any unnecessary risks. “Our goal is slightly different to the crews around us. We need to collect points.”
Through Friday and most of Saturday, their new Toksport WRT teammates Taylor Gill and co-driver Daniel Brkic had been locked in a close fight with Gus Greensmith/Jonas Andersson. “Great. These stages are similar to what we are used to in Australia,” Taylor Gill said. When the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 crew suffered a tyre delamination during the penultimate stage of the second leg, the duel with their British-Swedish opponents was settled. “We drove 10 kilometres managing that. It is part of the learning,“ Taylor Gill explained the time loss of more than 30 seconds.
After finishing Rally del Paraguay two weeks ago fourth in WRC2, the Australians celebrated exactly the same position again. “It is unreal,” Taylor Gill beamed after three days of competition. “The Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 is a pleasure to drive on these roads. We are having so much fun. It is great to be mixing times with guys that have been in WRC2 for years.”
All smiles as well in the CBTech Rally Team camp. Home hero Jorge Martínez Fontena and Argentinian navigator Rubén García brought their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 home fifth in WRC2. Victory in the WRC Masters Cup went to Miguel Granados from Mexico and Spanish co-driver Marc Martí. With this result, the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 crew kept their chances alive to defend their title in the championship reserved for drivers over the age of 50.
Unfortunately, Paraguayan Fabrizio ‘Fau’ Zaldívar and Italian co-driver Marcelo Der Ohannesian didn’t reach the finish. They rolled their team MZR Paraguay-run Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 into retirement during the first leg.
In the end, Robert Virves’ sensible approach paid off. He and co-driver Jakko Viilo reached the finish second in WRC2. “At least it is something. Our focus is on the WRC2 title. Points-wise it is not too bad. Thank you Toksport WRT for the hard work,“ Robert Virves commented. However, the Estonian Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 crew not only extended their lead in the WRC2 Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ classification. They also won both WRC2 Challenger titles with two more rallies on the calendar*.
After two rounds in South America, the FIA World Rally Championship returns to Europe. The next event is Rally Italia Sardegna from 1st to 4th October 2026.
Number of the rally: 41
Heading to Rally Italia Sardegna next month, only Teemu Suninen can deny Robert Virves the WRC2 title. The Estonian holds a 41-point advantage over his Finnish competitor, who changed co-driver over the season. Even if Teemu Suninen wins WRC2 in Italy, Robert Virves could become WRC2 Champion already after the upcoming round. In this scenario, Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo need at least nine points to secure the WRC2 Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ title. In other words: The Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 crew must finish Rally Italia Sardegna fifth or higher in WRC2. If Teemu Suninen comes second, a single point would be enough for Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo to become champions.
Result Rally Chile (CHI), 10-13 September 2026,
12th round of the FIA World Rally Championship
1 Yohan Rossel/Arnaud Dunand (FRA/FRA), Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, 3:06:39.2 hours
2 Robert Virves/Jakko Viilo (EST/EST), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, +53.0 seconds
3 Gus Greensmith/Jonas Andersson (GBR/SWE), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, +1:27.2 minutes
4 Taylor Gill/Daniel Brkic (AUS/AUS), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, +1:50.2 minutes
5 Jorge Martínez Fontena/Rubén García (CHI/ARG), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, +4:17.1 minutes
6 Diego Domínguez/Rogelio Peñate (PAR/ESP), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, +4:24.2 minutes
Standings WRC2/Drivers (after 12 of 14 events)
1 Robert Virves (EST), Škoda, 117 points (from 6 rallies)
2 Yohan Rossel (FRA), Lancia, 85 points (from 7 rallies)
3 Roope Korhonen (FIN), Toyota, 79 points (from 6 rallies)
4 Teemu Suninen (FIN), Toyota, 76 points (from 4 rallies)
Standings WRC2 Challenger/Drivers (after 12 of 14 events)
1 Robert Virves (EST), Škoda, 125 points (from 6 rallies)
2 Roope Korhonen (FIN), Toyota, 94 points (from 6 rallies)
3 Léo Rossel (FRA), Lancia, 81 points (from 5 rallies)
* Subject to confirmation of the results by the FIA
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