Arab News Japan

TOKYO: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team driver Sébastien Ogier won a record-equaling ninth FIA World Rally Championship title after he and co-driver Vincent Landais prevailed in a dramatic final-day decider at Rally Saudi Arabia.

Ogier went head-to-head with team-mates Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä to be crowned world champion at the brand-new season-ending event, which proved incredibly demanding with its combination of soft and sandy desert tracks and rough and rocky mountain roads, as well as high temperatures.

A significant road cleaning effect on the loose surface meant the trio were unusually not a factor in the fight for the rally win and they would also be among the drivers to lose time from the high risk of punctures on the abrasive stages.

Evans had led the standings by three points over Ogier coming into the event but had to stop and change a tire on Friday morning. However, Ogier also dropped time with a loss of tirepressure in the afternoon and was just two positions ahead of Evans and thus effectively one point in front going into the final day, when 10 bonus points were additionally on offer for the fastest drivers across the day and the rally-ending Power Stage.

Evans gave his all in the rally-ending Power Stage, setting the fastest time by 7.2s, but Ogier managed to stay ahead in the Super Saturday classification and win that by 0.8s as well as securing his 10th podium from 11 starts this season, which has included six rally wins.

Ogier equals the record of fellow Frenchman Sébastien Loeb in winning a ninth title and does so four years after claiming his last championship and stepping away from full-time competition. 

“It’s been such a successful season, and I’m proud and happy to be part of this family,” Ogier said. “I never thought that this moment of a ninth title would come after I decided to make a change and spend more time with my family.”