Sebastien Ogier marked a significant milestone in his career by achieving victory in his 200th World Rally Championship (WRC) start last weekend in Chile. This accomplishment adds to his impressive record that includes eight world titles, 66 rally wins, and 113 podium finishes, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s greatest competitors.
The 41-year-old Frenchman demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience throughout the event, showing no signs of slowing down as the WRC season approaches its decisive final stages. His success in Chile emphasized why many regard him as a legendary figure in rallying history.
Challenges Faced and Overcome During the Rally
While the victory was significant, Ogier’s path to triumph in Chile was not straightforward. Early on Friday, he struggled with the car’s setup in damp gravel conditions, losing notable time and falling behind his competitors. Ogier admitted that his initial approach was too cautious, which reflected in his slower performance compared to Toyota teammate Kalle Rovanpera and Hyundai’s Ott Tanak.
Ogier explained,
“After 200 starts you can still get it wrong on the set-up, but it has not happened too often in my career. Often I am able to handle the car I’m driving but this morning something was missing”
Sebastien Ogier. The team made significant changes during the midday service, including adjustments to the differential and suspension, which transformed Ogier’s control of the car and reinvigorated his pace.
The rally saw a fluctuating leaderboard with several lead changes. Rovanpera initially led but suffered a major setback after making a mistake that damaged his vehicle, pushing him back to sixth place by the finish. Evans and Tanak also exchanged the lead before Ogier began to rise through the ranks, securing multiple stage wins during the weekend.
Ogier’s Commanding Finish and Intense Battle with Evans
Saturday afternoon was when Ogier truly came into his own, winning six of the seven final stages amid drying track conditions. His adept tire management on the abrasive gravel surface allowed him to overcome team-mate Elfyn Evans, despite Evans’s temporary lead at midday service. By the end of the day, only 6.3 seconds separated the Toyota duo, setting up a tense showdown on Sunday.
On the final day, Ogier increased his dominance, extending his lead to win the rally by 11 seconds. Evans settled for second place, while Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux finished third, significantly behind at over 46 seconds back. Evans, a four-time WRC runner-up and rival to Ogier for several years, acknowledged his opponent’s stature in the sport:
“I think it is no secret that he is probably one of the best that there ever was in this sport and that is not by fluke. He is going to take some beating over the next three rounds but we will give it our best shot”
Elfyn Evans.
Ogier’s Consistent Performance Despite Partial Season Participation
Despite competing part-time since 2021 after winning his eighth world title, Ogier has consistently posted outstanding results. He has entered 32 of the last 50 WRC events, capturing victory in 12 and ascending the podium 22 times. Only two-time champion Kalle Rovanpera has achieved more wins (15) during this span, underscoring Ogier’s enduring competitiveness.
Following the Chile event, Ogier leads the 2025 championship standings, even though he has missed three of 11 rounds. His skillful handling of various rally conditions and his partnership with co-driver Vincent Landais have played vital roles in maintaining his championship contention.
Ogier reflected on their teamwork and the support he receives:
“I think it is many things that have come together. Vincent is doing a great job on my side, always perfect. The team give me good tools to fight with, so thank you guys, it is amazing. Now we are number one – a record for Toyota more than deserved.”
High-Pressure Moments and Determined Recovery
Ogier’s weekend included moments of intense pressure. After a strong effort in Paraguay, a late rain shower prevented him from scoring maximum points, which visibly frustrated the Toyota driver. However, in Chile, his performance in the Power Stage further confirmed his hunger for another title. With less than a kilometer remaining, Ogier trailed reigning champion Thierry Neuville by 0.9 seconds but pushed hard to secure the five bonus points by a mere 0.4-second margin.
Ogier’s success not only bids him the championship advantage but also secured Toyota’s 103rd WRC win, surpassing the previous record held by Citroen. He described the weekend:
“Like we wanted. It has been a more difficult weekend than Paraguay, We had to fight a bit more, we had a little issue in the mornings as I was not awake but we can be pleased with the way we ended up. The points are what we deserve after we lost some to God weather in Paraguay, I’m happy with that and I’m looking forward to switching to tarmac.”
Rivals Brace for Ogier’s Title Charge in Upcoming Rounds
Ogier’s resurgence represents a significant challenge to his closest competitors as the season nears its climax with three rallies remaining in Central Europe, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. His lead over Evans is slim at just two points, but Ogier appears poised to capitalize on his momentum, especially with a favorable road position for the tarmac events ahead.
Elfyn Evans acknowledged the toughness of the remaining battle:
“We paid a big price for being first on the road on Friday afternoon. Otherwise, I think we have done a pretty solid job, but Seb is very strong and tough to beat.”
Ogier’s Ambition Remains Unwavering Amid Season’s Final Stretch
After securing five wins from eight rallies this season and consistently finishing on the podium, Ogier described his campaign as nearly flawless. Yet, he remains realistic about the difficulty of maintaining perfection as the championship finale approaches:
“I could say [this year has been] close to perfect because after eight rallies we have had five wins and we have always been on the podium and average [round] points of 28, It is amazing but I’m well aware that it is close to impossible to make a perfect season. It has never been done before. There are three rallies to go and an opportunity to achieve that, but it is going to be difficult, so no time to relax just yet.”
This determined mindset signals that Ogier’s rivals will face relentless pressure in the months ahead as the veteran driver fights to equal the record for most world titles and possibly secure a ninth championship.
