Sébastien Ogier’s partial 2025 WRC campaign was never intended to be a title charge, but the championship picture looks different now. After securing third place in Rally Finland—his sixth podium in as many starts—Ogier finds himself just 13 points off the lead. The eight-time world champion, who missed three rounds earlier this season, confirmed he will race in Rally del Paraguay, with Toyota yet to confirm how many of the remaining events he will tackle.
Key Highlights
- Ogier sits 13 points behind leader Elfyn Evans despite missing three rallies.
- Six podiums from six starts, including three victories, mark his 2025 performance.
- Confirmed to race in Rally del Paraguay, part of his original schedule.
- Toyota has yet to confirm his participation in the final rallies beyond Paraguay.
- WRC title fight remains a four-way battle with Evans, Rovanperä, and Tänak in contention.
Six Rallies, Six Podiums
Ogier’s 2025 campaign has been a masterclass in efficiency. From six rallies, he has achieved three wins and three further podiums, making his Finland result—third place—his “worst” finish so far.
“Six podiums out of six rallies. This is our worst result, but we can’t complain about it, and we must be very happy with the outcome. This fight was worth it, collecting 22 points.” – Sébastien Ogier
Those 22 points in Finland helped close the gap to Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans, who has led the standings through consistency rather than outright dominance. With an average of 27.2 points per round, Ogier’s statistical performance is unmatched among the top contenders. His 65% Super Sunday points conversion rate underscores his ability to maximize every opportunity, even on limited appearances.
A New Approach to the Season
Earlier in the year, Ogier downplayed any ambition to chase a ninth world title, citing his partial schedule as a limiting factor. But with the standings tightening and only four rounds remaining, the Frenchman’s mindset has shifted.
“It [the points gap] is definitely not much regarding the fact we have missed three rallies… Now it is exciting to be part of this four-way fight for the title. The plan is to go for it now.” – Sébastien Ogier
His commitment to Paraguay was always part of the plan, but the possibility of adding more rounds now looms. Toyota has yet to reveal if Ogier will be entered beyond Paraguay, which could prove decisive in a season where every point matters.
The State of the Title Fight
Evans, the current championship leader, has finished every rally inside the top six, delivering the highest average points per round of any driver contesting all nine events. While Evans has relied on consistency, Hyundai’s Ott Tänak has been the outright pace-setter, amassing 44 stage wins—eight more than second-best Kalle Rovanperä. However, Tänak’s weaker Super Sunday results have limited his points haul.
Rovanperä, adapting to the new Hankook tyres, has struggled for raw pace but leads the field in Super Sunday efficiency, scoring 59 of a possible 90 points (66% conversion rate). Reigning champion Thierry Neuville admitted in Finland that his hopes of defending the title are virtually gone, though he remains mathematically in the hunt.
Picking a definitive favorite is impossible at this stage. Four drivers—Evans, Ogier, Rovanperä, and Tänak—remain in realistic contention, with the closing stretch of the season promising high-stakes drama.
Looking Ahead to Paraguay and Beyond
Rally del Paraguay could be the most pivotal round of the season for Ogier. It will be his seventh start of the year, and if Toyota opts to extend his schedule, his late-season surge could mirror past campaigns where he thrived under pressure. The unknown factor remains how many more events Ogier will contest beyond Paraguay. Every remaining rally will carry extra weight, as the championship could swing on a single mechanical issue, tyre choice, or split-second mistake.
Ogier’s rivals know that his part-time status makes him a uniquely dangerous threat—one capable of altering the championship momentum even if he doesn’t race the entire calendar. The remaining rounds will not only determine the 2025 title but could also influence Ogier’s future approach to balancing part-time schedules with title aspirations.
News in Brief: Sébastien Ogier’s 2025 WRC Title Fight
Sébastien Ogier’s Rally Finland podium tightened the 2025 WRC title fight, leaving him just 13 points behind leader Elfyn Evans despite missing three events. With six podiums from six starts—including three wins—Ogier confirmed his entry for Rally del Paraguay and hinted at a full title push. Toyota has not confirmed if he will compete in the remaining rounds. The championship remains a four-way contest with Evans, Rovanperä, and Tänak in contention.
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