Rally fans witnessed a thrilling twist at the Sébastien Ogier Paraguay Rally, where the eight-time world champion proved once again why he is one of the sport’s greatest. Starting the day off the pace, Ogier delivered a remarkable comeback drive to seize control when others faltered.
Ogier’s Saturday Masterclass
Ogier began the day fourth overall, trailing overnight leader Kalle Rovanperä by 17.8 seconds. Instead of playing it safe, he rolled the dice with a bold tyre strategy, choosing five tyres instead of six. The reduced weight gave him an edge, allowing him to push harder and faster across demanding stages.
The gamble paid off as Ogier won four of the seven stages on Saturday. His performance was a mix of precision and experience, showcasing how small decisions can make a big difference at the top level. By evening, he had turned his deficit into a commanding 10.3-second lead over Adrien Fourmaux.
Rovanperä’s Rally Unravels
Rovanperä had been in control since Friday evening, steadily extending his lead. Even while admitting he wasn’t fully satisfied with the handling of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, he looked on course to maintain his dominance.
That all changed on the long Artigas stage. A front-right puncture derailed his run, costing him valuable minutes and sending him tumbling to sixth place, over two minutes adrift. For a driver who had looked untouchable, it was a cruel twist of fate.
Fourmaux Holds Strong in Second
Adrien Fourmaux kept the pressure on despite his own troubles. Damper issues limited his speed in the closing stages, but he managed to hold on to second overall in his Hyundai i20 N Rally1. Although he admitted to struggling with grip and chassis control, his consistency kept him within striking distance.
Tänak Fights Back
Ott Tänak’s day was also filled with highs and lows. After starting in second place, a puncture dropped him down the order. Yet, true to form, the Estonian mounted a strong recovery in the afternoon. By the end of the day, he had clawed his way back to fourth, only 2.5 seconds behind Elfyn Evans.
The Rest of the Field
Thierry Neuville, another Hyundai contender, finished Saturday in fifth, keeping within 10 seconds of Tänak. Rovanperä, now in sixth, was left frustrated as his earlier control slipped away. Sami Pajari followed in seventh, while the WRC2 crews filled the rest of the top 10. Robert Virves took charge of that battle, ahead of Yohan Rossel and Oliver Solberg.
Final Day Awaits
With four stages and nearly 80km of action remaining, Sunday promises more drama. Ogier may hold the lead, but in rallying, nothing is certain. The Frenchman himself admitted that the fight is far from over, knowing well that even the smallest mistake could turn the standings upside down again.
Summary
Sébastien Ogier’s charge at the Paraguay Rally was a perfect display of experience, risk-taking, and relentless pace. While rivals like Rovanperä and Tänak suffered setbacks, Ogier stayed sharp and seized his chance. The final day now carries even more anticipation, as fans wait to see if the comeback king can finish the job.
Disclaimer: Rally standings and results are subject to official confirmation and may change after final scrutineering.
Source: WRC
