Sebastien Ogier's pursuit of a record-equalling ninth World Rally Championship title is gaining momentum after a commanding performance in Chile. The French driver, already a legend with 200 WRC starts, eight world titles, 66 wins, and 113 podiums, showcased his enduring talent and relentless drive for victory.
Ogier's Dominance Continues
Ogier's victory in Chile underscored his status as one of the greatest rally drivers of all time. Despite transitioning to a part-time WRC schedule after securing his eighth title in 2021, his performance remains exceptional. Since then, he has participated in 32 of 50 WRC rallies, securing 12 wins and 22 podium finishes. Only Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time world champion, has achieved more victories (15) during this period, highlighting Ogier's undiminished skill.
His ability to win rallies is a testament to his mastery of the sport. In Paraguay, Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais staged a remarkable comeback after a puncture to claim victory. In Chile, they overcame initial setup challenges and engaged in a fierce battle with teammate Elfyn Evans to secure maximum points.
Overcoming Obstacles in Chile
One of the notable challenges Ogier faced in Chile was adapting to the early morning stages. He admitted to being too cautious on Friday and Saturday mornings, preventing him from delivering his best performance. However, he rectified this on Sunday, displaying his true potential and securing the full 10 Super Sunday points, adding to his 66th rally win.
Ogier's frustration in Paraguay, where a late rain shower denied him a potential maximum points haul, fueled his determination in Chile. During the Power Stage, he trailed Thierry Neuville by 0.9 seconds with only one kilometer remaining. In a remarkable display of skill and risk-taking, Ogier delivered a mesmerizing final split, snatching the five bonus points by a mere 0.4 seconds.
Championship Implications
Ogier's victory in Chile not only secured Toyota's 103rd WRC win, surpassing Citroen's record, but also propelled him into the championship lead, two points ahead of Elfyn Evans. This is particularly impressive considering Ogier has sat out three rallies this season.
"It was a more difficult weekend than Paraguay," Ogier acknowledged. "We had to fight a bit more, we had a little issue in the mornings as I was not awake, but we can be pleased with the way we ended up. The points are what we deserve after we lost some to bad weather in Paraguay. I’m happy with that and I’m looking forward to switching to tarmac."
Addressing Setup Challenges
Ogier admitted to struggling with the car's setup during the initial stages in Chile, particularly on the damp gravel. "After 200 starts you can still get it wrong on the set-up, but it has not happened too often in my career. Often I am able to handle the car I’m driving but this morning something was missing," he explained.
The midday service provided a crucial opportunity to address these issues. "We had to change quite a lot,” Ogier said after sealing the win. “The Friday stages are very different from the rest of the weekend. But at midday service we changed everything, the differential, the suspension and quite a few things to make me have a car that I’m used to having. It was working and it was not the only thing."
Rally Dynamics and Key Moments
The rally saw several drivers vying for the lead. Toyota teammate Rovanpera initially led after winning the first two stages, but a mistake in stage three, where he damaged a tire, cost him significant time and ultimately limited him to a sixth-place finish.
Evans briefly took the lead before Ott Tanak surged ahead. However, Tanak's engine failure shifted the advantage, and by stage six, Ogier had climbed to third. The rain on Saturday morning further shuffled the standings, with Evans excelling to take the lead over Ogier.
In the afternoon, Ogier demonstrated his dominance, winning six of the final seven stages. His ability to manage tire wear on the abrasive gravel proved crucial as he overtook Evans, setting up a final showdown on Sunday.
Evans Acknowledges Ogier's Strength
Despite a strong performance, Evans recognized the challenge of competing against Ogier. "I think it is no secret that he is probably one of the best that there ever was in this sport and that is not by fluke. He is going to take some beating over the next three rounds but we will give it our best shot," Evans conceded.
Championship Outlook
With three rallies remaining in Central Europe, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, Ogier is well-positioned to contend for his ninth world title. His victory in Chile has given him the championship lead and the advantage of a better road position on asphalt in Central Europe.
"I could say [this year has been] close to perfect because after eight rallies we have had five wins and we have always been on the podium and average [round] points of 28," Ogier stated. "It is amazing but I’m well aware that it is close to impossible to make a perfect season. It has never been done before. There are three rallies to go and an opportunity to achieve that, but it is going to be difficult, so no time to relax just yet."
As the WRC season approaches its climax, Ogier's rivals should be wary of his unwavering determination and pursuit of a record-equalling ninth world title.
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