Sebastien Ogier secured his third victory of the World Rally Championship season by triumphing at the Rally of Sardinia, marking his fifth career win at the event. Despite not competing in all 14 rounds of the championship, the eight-time world champion managed to control the rally from the front, starting the final day with a 17-second lead over Ott Tanak.
However, a mishap on the last stage nearly jeopardized his win when he failed to turn into a deeply rutted corner and had to reverse before continuing. Reflecting on the error, Ogier explained he chose not to force the car and risk damage, a decision that ultimately preserved his lead.
The result propels Ogier to second in the overall standings, just 19 points behind championship leader Elfyn Evans, who finished fourth in Sardinia. Evans encountered a delay due to a wheel change on Saturday but remained positive about his performance and standing in the title race.
Ott Tanak closed the gap to Ogier to just eight seconds by the finish and claimed second place, while Kalle Rovanpera, also in a Toyota, came in third—50 seconds off the pace—and now sits third in the championship, a single point behind Ogier.
Toyota continued their dominance in the 2025 season with their sixth win in as many rallies, repeating the same podium lineup seen in Portugal last month. Takamoto Katsuta completed the top five for Toyota, while reigning world champion Thierry Neuville endured a frustrating weekend. The Hyundai driver went off track on Friday and ultimately finished outside the points in 19th place, a significant setback in his title defense.
With the WRC season gaining momentum, all eyes now turn to the Acropolis Rally in Greece, scheduled for the end of June. As the championship battle tightens, particularly among Ogier, Evans, and Rovanpera, the next round could prove pivotal in shaping the title race's trajectory.
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