Ogier has not contested a full WRC season since 2021. After last year’s Rally Finland, he opted to compete in the remainder of the season’s events – and it now appears he is heading towards a similar decision this time as well.
Although Ogier has only contested about two-thirds of this season’s rallies, he still sits third in the drivers’ championship – just 13 points behind leader Elfyn Evans.
A ninth world title is therefore well within reach. Securing a ninth crown would place Ogier level at the top of the all-time standings alongside his compatriot Sébastien Loeb – which, undoubtedly, would be no small achievement for the Frenchman.
Ogier is confirmed to be on the starting line at both Rally Paraguay and Rally Chile. After that, he may reassess the situation. In practice, this means that if Ogier still has a realistic shot at the world title after the two South American rounds, he is expected to contest the remaining rallies of the season.
Ogier’s announcement did not come as a major surprise to his rivals.
““I think that’s been pretty clear for a while,” said teammate Elfyn Evans, according to DirtFish.
Kalle Rovanperä’s victory at Rally Finland propelled him to second in the drivers’ standings, just three points behind Evans. And Rovanperä, too, didn’t seem particularly surprised by Ogier’s decision.
“He’s going to be bullying us the rest of the season, I’m sure! So it’s going to be a good fight,” Rovanperä commented.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville already threw in the towel on his title hopes after Rally Finland, but he fully understood Ogier’s decision.
“It sounds logical, no? He’s third in the championship, so probably… at his place I would do it. He did it last year as well and he’s in an even better position now,” Neuville said.
