Sebastien Ogier stays aloof from WRC title fight despite flurry of wins

Sebastien Ogier has reiterated that he has no plans to contest a full World Rally Championship season, after climbing to second in the standings following an ‘almost perfect’ run to victory in Sardinia.

The eight-time world champion’s 7.9s win over Hyundai’s Ott Tanak added further gloss to a blistering start to a part-time campaign for Toyota, which stands at three wins and a second-place finish from four starts. Despite sitting out Sweden and Kenya, the 41-year-old is now only 19 points behind championship leader and team-mate Elfyn Evans.

Last season Ogier started the year with the plan to contest a half-season but that turned into 10 events after Toyota asked the Frenchman to assist with its championship bid. Ogier ended 2024 finishing fourth in the championship, having scored three wins. 

Following Ogier’s latest success, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala suggested that he may receive a request from Ogier to do more rallies given his elevated championship position. 

“From a team perspective we don’t need to push him, but I expect there might be some questions raised by him to do more events," Latvala told Motorsport.com.   

While Ogier is already entered to participate in the next round of the championship in Greece later this month, he confirmed that he had no plans to add more events to his schedule and would take a break after Greece. 

“Last year he [Latvala] was the one asking me for more rallies,” Ogier told Motorsport.com. “At the moment I just want to enjoy this one and celebrate and be there in Greece, but for sure after Greece there is a break.

“No full season is planned.”

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Reflecting on a Sardinia success that moved Ogier one clear of Sebastien Loeb as the rally’s most successful driver with five wins, the Toyota driver admitted he was proud of the victory in incredibly tough conditions. 

The win was made even more impressive by starting third on the road and the fact Toyota had opted not to test prior to the event, unlike their rivals.

The only blemish arrived on the final Power Stage when Ogier suffered a half-spin that required him to reverse, costing him almost 10 seconds. 

“It has been a very strong weekend and we can be very proud of that,” added Ogier.

“Coming out as the winner in battle with Ott [Tanak] is always enjoyable because he is the guy that pushes the maximum all of the time, so when you manage to be faster it is always a great performance. 

“Especially after Portugal it is nice that we have been able to make some changes [to the car] which gave us some more speed again. What can I say, I’m very happy. 

“I may have given Jari-Matti and my whole team a fright [on the Power Stage]. That is the way it is sometimes. 

“I got caught by oversteering in a very tight corner and I had the feeling it was going to be difficult to make the next [corner], so we had this little stop against the small bushes and reverse. 

“It cost us some points for the team, so I’m sorry for that, but apart from that it was as close to a perfect weekend for us."