Ogier’s only hope ahead of WRC Saudi Arabia title showdown

On the verge of a potential record-equalling ninth World Rally Championship crown, Sebastien Ogier has one wish ahead of the Saudi Arabia showdown - a fair title fight.

This year’s WRC title battle is set for one of the most exciting conclusions in decades, with three drivers in contention to take the spoils this weekend at the inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia. Ogier, seeking to match the title record set by Sebastien Loeb, trails Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans by three points with 35 points to play for. Toyota team-mate Kalle Rovanpera is also in title contention, albeit an outside shot sitting 24 points adrift, ahead of this week’s 17-stage desert rally.

Rally Saudi Arabia will offer up a level playing field with neither of the crews having experienced the gravel stages previously, but the unknown conditions could also serve up plenty of surprises. Ogier says that his only hope is that all title contenders have fair conditions and that the championship is not decided by misfortune inflicted by the rocky roads.

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“It is an exciting battle. I think at the moment I have only one hope that the rally is up to the standard so we can have a nice final," said Ogier.

“Nobody has much experience of anything there so there will be a lot of surprises, but I hope there are not too many things that we cannot control basically like too many stones or punctures and that it doesn’t turn into a lottery in that way.

“Hopefully the conditions are fair for all of us, and may the best man win!”

Ogier is one of the most experienced drivers when it comes to winning titles, and has already beaten his team-mate Evans to two world crowns in season finale showdowns at Rally Monza in 2020 and 2021.

However, Ogier was reminded of Evans’ determination and ability after an intense fight for victory at Rally Japan earlier this month. Ogier ultimately took a sixth win of the year by a slender 11.6s from Evans, with the pair split by 0.09s on the final Power Stage.

“He [Elfyn] hasn’t pushed me like this in a little while I would say. Generally this season I have usually had a little bit of an edge but this time it was much closer. It hasn’t been easy but again that is the way we like it,” Ogier said after victory in Japan.

“Apart from Central Europe, everything has really clicked this year and the performance and the feeling in the car has been very good.”

Ogier will need to score three or more points than Evans to seal the title, and will take crown if the pair finish level on points due to Ogier’s superior victory tally this year.

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