Ogier Reigns in Sardinia as Toyota Extends WRC Domination

Sébastien Ogier secures a historic fifth victory on the island, capping a tense final showdown and cementing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s unbroken winning streak in 2025.

Sébastien Ogier and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) emerged victorious after a gripping battle at Rally Italia Sardegna, continuing their unrelenting march through the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season. In searing Sardinian heat and over punishing terrain, Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais showed the resolve and precision that have come to define their performances, claiming their third win of the season — and Ogier’s record fifth triumph on the island.

The Sardinian round, notorious for its abrasive roads and soaring temperatures exceeding 30°C, once again delivered a dramatic and attritional contest. With the top TGR-WRT drivers forced to sweep the stages on Friday, the odds were stacked against them from the outset. Yet Ogier’s trademark consistency came through, capturing the rally lead in the final stage of the opening day.

The drama escalated on Saturday, as Ogier locked horns once more with Hyundai’s Ott Tänak — a renewal of their thrilling duel in Portugal just weeks prior. With only 11.1 seconds separating them heading into Sunday, the final leg of the rally was set for a grandstand finish.

Ogier struck early on Sunday morning, extending his advantage in the opening stage. But a near-spin and brief reverse in the rutted, tree-lined Power Stage almost undid the effort. Nonetheless, he held firm, sealing the win by 7.9 seconds over Tänak. The result not only marked a personal milestone for the Frenchman but also ensured TGR-WRT maintained its flawless winning record in 2025.

“It’s a very satisfying win,” said Ogier. “The Power Stage scare was not ideal, but the target was the overall victory, and we achieved that. The team did a great job improving the car setup after Portugal. It felt great to drive.”

Toyota’s Five-Strong Finish

The podium was further sweetened by a hard-fought third-place finish for Kalle Rovanperä, who, despite a compromised road position on Friday, delivered a clean and strategic drive. He and co-driver Jonne Halttunen saved their best for last, storming the Power Stage with a blistering time 8.1 seconds faster than anyone else — enough to top the Super Sunday classification and inch closer to the championship lead.

Elfyn Evans, tasked with the unenviable job of opening the road on Friday, put in a composed performance to secure fourth overall. A puncture on Saturday afternoon cost him around two minutes, but his points haul keeps him at the top of the drivers’ championship standings, now 19 points clear of Ogier.

Meanwhile, Takamoto Katsuta overcame a low-speed roll on Friday and another tyre change on Saturday to round out the top five, displaying tenacity and control on a characteristically punishing rally.

Ogier Reigns In Sardinia As Toyota Extends Wrc Domination

Rally2 Dominance and Deep Bench Strength

TGR-WRT’s strength in depth was on full display as six Toyota drivers finished within the top seven. Rising star Oliver Solberg stood out in the GR Yaris Rally2, claiming nine stage wins in the category and finishing as the top Rally2 entrant — a strong result despite not nominating Sardinia as a points-scoring event in WRC2.

Sami Pajari, another of Toyota’s promising Rally2 talents, showed pace throughout the weekend and was fourth overall on Friday. A spin and damaged suspension on Sunday saw him drop to seventh, but the Finnish youngster remains a name to watch heading into the Greek round.

A Redemption Story

For TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Chairman Akio Toyoda, the win in Sardinia was a particularly poignant moment.

“This rally has historically been a difficult one for us,” said Toyoda. “We’ve only won here once in eight previous attempts. Last year, Seb lost by just 0.2 seconds. This year, he redeemed himself — and the whole team showed strength by bringing all five cars home without retirements. We’ll keep turning these challenges into opportunities to build ever-better cars.”

Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala echoed the sentiment, praising the team’s unity and resilience: “We came here with three cars sweeping the road on Friday, which is a big disadvantage. But still, we leave with a sixth win in six rallies — incredible. The entire squad performed under pressure and brought the results home.”

Championship Standings and What’s Next

With the Acropolis Rally in Greece fast approaching (June 26–29), the title race is heating up. Elfyn Evans leads with 133 points, followed closely by Ogier (114) and Rovanperä (113). Toyota’s commanding 69-point lead in the manufacturers’ standings (312) over Hyundai (243) reinforces their dominance this season.

The Greek round, known for its rock-strewn mountain roads and intense summer heat, will conclude the southern European gravel triple-header. With form, momentum, and firepower on their side, TGR-WRT will be looking to extend their record-breaking streak — but in a sport as unpredictable as rallying, nothing is ever guaranteed.

Provisional Top 5 – Rally Italia Sardegna 2025