Sébastien Ogier prolonged his file at Vodafone Rally de Portugal on Sunday, claiming a seventh victory on the occasion as Toyota GAZOO Racing continued its flawless begin to season with a fifth win in as many rounds.
Co-driven by Vincent Landais, Ogier accomplished the four-day gravel traditional 8.7 seconds forward of Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, with GR Yaris Rally1 colleague Kalle Rovanperä an additional 3.5 seconds again in third.
Ogier’s 63rd WRC win appeared removed from sure till late drama on Saturday. Having shadowed long-time chief Tänak all through the rally, the Frenchman inherited the highest spot when the Estonian’s i20 N Rally1 suffered an influence steering failure on Amarante 2. The problem dropped Tänak to 3rd in a single day and handed Ogier a 27.6-second lead over Rovanperä heading into Sunday.
Regardless of spirited drives from each Tänak and Rovanperä on the ultimate day – Tänak taking most Tremendous Sunday factors and reclaiming second on the penultimate check – neither may dislodge the eight-time world champion.
Toyota’s dominance stays unbroken, with Ogier, Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans every scoring victories thus far in 2025.
“I feel it’s one thing I may be pleased with, the best way I’ve managed to remain aggressive in any case these years,” stated Ogier after the end. “Due to the group – it was nice to drive this weekend.
“Ott was simply flying [like] loopy, however possibly a bit an excessive amount of really – I don’t know. On our aspect, race administration is certainly a craft we’ve got, so I’m blissful. Seven occasions right here in Portugal, not too dangerous.”
Rovanperä’s end result trimmed Evans’ championship result in 30 factors with 9 rounds remaining. Ogier, competing on a part-time program, now holds third general, with Tänak climbing to fourth.
Defending champion Thierry Neuville completed fourth, 26.3 seconds behind team-mate Tänak. The Belgian battled a persistent “unfastened rear finish” and slipped to fifth within the championship standings.
Takamoto Katsuta endured a irritating rally, additional compounded by a spin on the penultimate stage. The Japanese driver had run as excessive as second on Friday however ended up greater than a minute behind Neuville in fifth.
Evans salvaged sixth general, overtaking Sami Pajari on Sunday. He ended 7.3 seconds away from the younger Finn, having struggled to make headway after road-sweeping duties on Friday hampered his possibilities.
M-Sport Ford’s Josh McErlean impressed with considered one of his most constant performances but, ending eighth and main dwelling team-mate Grégoire Munster as WRC2 winner Oliver Solberg accomplished the highest 10.
