Fight for record ninth WRC title still in Ogier's hands

Sebastien Ogier says the quest for a record-equalling ninth World Rally Championship crown is still in his own hands despite losing the points lead heading into this weekend’s penultimate round in Japan.

The WRC legend witnessed his two-point lead transform into a 13-point deficit to Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans after a puncture resulted in a rare crash at last month’s Central European Rally, while fighting for the victory.

While Ogier’s 100% podium record this year came to an end in Germany, the Frenchman showcased his desire for the title by claiming the maximum 10 Super Sunday points to limit the damage to his title bid.

• Read next | Why Evans is wary of Rally Japan challenge as title race heats up

“It [the title battle] is completely on. I think still have it in our own hands so that is the most important thing," said Ogier.

“It is definitely still doable and of course would have preferred to leave the Central European Rally with a lead and an increased lead, but it went in the other direction. I think for the championship a lot of fans will be happy to have this intense season.”

This week’s Rally Japan is likely to prove to be critical in terms of the title battle with the championship seeming set to be decided at the season finale in Saudi Arabia later this month.

Ogier’s glittering career that includes 66 WRC rally wins to date includes one victory in Japan but that was back in 2010 when the rally was held on gravel roads in Sapporo. Since the rally moved south to asphalt stages around Toyota City, Ogier has finished second behind title rival Evans in 2023 and 2024 and finished fourth in 2022.

Having displayed impressive pace on asphalt before the crash in Central Europe, Ogier is expecting to be involved in another intense fight this weekend.

“I cannot see many rallies this season where we didn’t have the pace, so that is for sure positive, and we feel good in the car, that is always important,” Ogier added.

“I'm sure Rally Japan will be an intense fight with our team-mates. We will be fighting in the same cars and that is always exciting for drivers.

“The stages on this rally are very demanding as they are really narrow and technical without much room for error, and we’ve seen that the weather at this time of year can make things even more complicated.

“The last rally didn’t go our way personally, but we know that we have the speed and we still have the possibility to fight, and we will be doing our best to achieve a top result in Japan.”

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