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WRC Flashback: Season returns to Sardinia after 2024 down-to-the-wire battle for the ages
Rally Italia Sardegna - one of the jewels in the FIA World Rally Championship. Against the picturesque, calm relaxed island lifestyle - the island comes alive every year to the globe-trotting rallying series which ignites the atmosphere, with the world's best drivers and fastest off road rally cars whipping up a storm on the gravel roads.
Last year it was to be a battle between Ott Tänak for Hyundai and Sébastien Ogier for Toyota.
These two have had their fair share of battles at the top not only for titles, wins, podiums, but also for headlines and the last word - with the pair coming to blows on and off the stage.
The rivalry is intense, but rivalry is also one of respect. Two of the sports hardest chargers…there will always be fireworks!
Sardinia in June 2024 - soaring temperatures, rough gravel stages and lingering dust - a challenging cocktail for the crews.
WRC
The record-holding, four-time Rally Italia Sardegna winner Sébastien Ogier shot out of the blocks in imperious form - taking full advantage of starting further down in the road order due to only completing in selected rounds in 2024.
The Frenchman set the tone with a blistering time on the opening stage - 7.7 seconds clear of anyone else. However, Ogier couldn’t shake the attention of sparring partner Tänak hot on his tail.
The Estonian nibbled away at the deficit to bring it down to 4.5 seconds after the first day. The rest of the drivers were 30 seconds off the pace - underlining the speed the front two were going.
The next day, Ogier suffered a puncture on stage five with Tänak inheriting a small margin of 0.1. It was to be a tit for tat battle royale as Ogier reclaimed the lead after an incredible drive through SS6.
The day wasn’t done there as the Hyundai driver leapfrogged his way back to the lead on SS7. The advantage would switch one more time on SS9 with Ogier going on a march to a healthy lead of 17.1 at the end of day two.
WRC
The final day - just four stages remained. A fired up Tänak was about to turn the screw. Most drivers would have buckled under the fear factor pressure from the Estonian - but the only man who could go toe-to-toe and that was the eight-time champion Ogier.
The battle of all battles was about to go galactic. 13.1, 6.6, 6.2the gap was coming down going into the final stage. Despite Hyundai trying to persuade Tänak to bank his second place for the team and championship - he was about to put it all on red for one last spin. Just 7.1km left of the event.
Ott Tänak was first through and left nothing to spare - unaware what was going on behind him on the road. Drama for Ogier - a puncture. The Toyota was wounded.
Using all his tactical knowledge and brilliance behind the wheel, Sébastien Ogier also gave it everything, but after 266km Ogier couldn’t hold back the waves - Tänak took his first win on his return to the Hyundai by just 0.2 seconds!
Will we see that kind of drama this season? Rally Italia Sardegna is one of the most unpredictable rallies - boasting four different winners in the last five seasons so anything is possible!
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