01/12/2025
Sébastien Ogier Wins His Ninth World Rally Championship Title
By Pascal Litt
Sébastien Ogier did not falter. Trailing Welshman Elfyn Evans by three points going into the final round of the season, the French driver ultimately triumphed over his Toyota teammate. Ogier now claims his ninth World Rally Championship title. He thus equals the record set by Sébastien Loeb in 2012.
For the third time, Sébastien Ogier (partnered with co-driver Vincent Landais) was competing neck and neck for the World Rally Championship title against Elfyn Evans in the final round of the season. This time, it was the sandy and rocky terrain of Saudi Arabia that would decide between the two men, teammates at Toyota. A third Toyota driver, Finland's Kalle Rovanperä, could also win the title, but only if both Evans and Ogier failed to finish the race.
However, Sébastien Ogier did not miss this historic opportunity, managing to hold his two rivals in check over three days to finish third in the Rally Saudi Arabia, behind Belgian Thierry Neuville and Frenchman Adrien Fournaux, both in Hyundai i20 N Rally 1 cars. Evans, despite his best efforts (and a big risk taken at the end of the race), finished sixth and Rovanperä seventh. Sébastien Ogier (six wins in 11 appearances) ended the season with 293 points, versus 289 for Elfyn Evans (one win) and 256 for Kalle Rovanperä (three wins).
Last Saturday, Toyota thus claimed all three podium places in the drivers' standings, as well as the ninth of its manufacturers' title.
At the age of 41, Sébastien Ogier won his ninth World Rally Championship title, following his 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 (VW Motorsport), 2017, 2018 (M Sport), 2020 and 2021 (Toyota Gazoo Racing) victories. He thus equals the record set by Sébastien Loeb (2004-2012 with Citroën). For Vincent Landais, Ogier’s co-driver, this victory is his first world championship title.