Sébastien Ogier extended his record at Vodafone Rally de Portugal on Sunday, claiming a seventh victory on the event as Toyota GAZOO Racing continued its flawless start to the 2025 season with a fifth win in as many rounds.
Co-driven by Vincent Landais, Ogier completed the four-day gravel classic 8.7sec ahead of Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, with GR Yaris Rally1 colleague Kalle Rovanperä a further 3.5sec back in third.
Ogier’s 63rd WRC win looked far from certain until late drama on Saturday. Having shadowed long-time leader Tänak throughout the rally, the Frenchman inherited the top spot when the Estonian’s i20 N Rally1 suffered a power steering failure on Amarante 2. The issue dropped Tänak to third overnight and handed Ogier a 27.6sec lead over Rovanperä heading into Sunday.
Despite spirited drives from both Tänak and Rovanperä on the final day – Tänak taking maximum Super Sunday points and reclaiming second on the penultimate test – neither could dislodge the eight-time world champion.
Toyota’s dominance remains unbroken, with Ogier, Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans each scoring victories so far in 2025.
“I think it’s something I can be proud of, the way I have managed to stay competitive after all these years,” said Ogier after the finish. “Thanks to the team – it was great to drive this weekend.
“Ott was just flying [like] crazy, but maybe a bit too much actually – I don’t know. On our side, race management is definitely a craft we have, so I’m happy. Seven times here in Portugal, not too bad.”
Rovanperä’s result trimmed Evans’ championship lead to 30 points with nine rounds remaining. Ogier, competing on a part-time programme, now holds third overall, with Tänak climbing to fourth.
Defending champion Thierry Neuville finished fourth, 26.3sec behind team-mate Tänak. The Belgian battled a persistent “loose rear end” and slipped to fifth in the championship standings.
Takamoto Katsuta endured a frustrating rally, further compounded by a spin on the penultimate stage. The Japanese driver had run as high as second on Friday but ended up more than a minute behind Neuville in fifth.
Evans salvaged sixth overall, overtaking Sami Pajari on Sunday. He ended 7.3sec clear of the young Finn, having struggled to make headway after road-sweeping duties on Friday hampered his chances.
M-Sport Ford’s Josh McErlean impressed with one of his most consistent performances yet, finishing eighth and leading home team-mate Grégoire Munster as WRC2 winner Oliver Solberg completed the top 10.
The championship resumes with Rally Italia Sardegna, based in Olbia from 5 – 8 June, where more hot weather and punishing gravel roads await.
Rally Classification:
1. S Ogier / V Landais FRA Toyota GR Yaris 3h 48m 35.9s
2. O Tänak / M Järveoja EST Hyundai i20 N +8.7s
3. K Rovanperä / J Halttunen FIN Toyota GR Yaris +12.2s
4. T Neuville / M Wydaeghe BEL Hyundai i20 N +38.5s
5. T Katsuta / A Johnston JPN Toyota GR Yaris +1m 41.9s
6. E Evans / S Martin GBR Toyota GR Yaris +2m 31.0s
