Sébastien Ogier has secured his ninth WRC championship, drawing level with Sébastien Loeb’s all-time record, as Thierry Neuville won the 2025 Rally Saudi Arabia finale. Co-driver Vincent Landais claimed his first world title alongside Ogier.
Final Day Drama in Saudi Arabia
Ogier entered the final day with a narrow two-point advantage over teammate Elfyn Evans. A decisive push on the penultimate Asfan stage moved him from sixth to third overall, sealing the championship with a measured Wolf Power Stage run.
Neuville’s Rally Victory
Thierry Neuville overcame persistent damper issues to claim his first win of the season. The Belgian finished 54.7 seconds ahead of teammate Adrien Fourmaux, who lost a potential victory due to a one-minute early check-in penalty.
Key Moments and Challenges
Mārtiņš Sesks and Kalle Rovanperä both stopped to change wheels on Asfan, while Takamoto Katsuta rolled his GR Yaris Rally1. Evans climbed the order but finished runner-up in the drivers’ standings for the fifth time.
Ogier and Landais’ Remarkable Campaign
Despite competing part-time, Ogier and Landais won more than half of their starts and accumulated the most stage victories of any pairing this season, highlighting their dominance in limited appearances.
Other Notable Performances
Sami Pajari recovered from Friday wheel issues to finish fourth, ahead of Katsuta. Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean were promoted to eighth and ninth following Sesks’ double puncture. Oliver Solberg completed the top ten.
M-Sport Sensation
Sesks led heading into the final day after winning five stages. His double puncture on Asfan cost almost eight minutes, forcing him to retire before the final stage, despite a standout performance throughout the rally.
Championship Standings
Ogier ended the season with 293 points, narrowly ahead of Evans at 289. Kalle Rovanperä finished third with 256 points, marking one of the closest WRC championship finishes in recent history.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The FIA World Rally Championship resumes with Rallye Monte-Carlo from 22–25 January 2026, promising another season of fierce competition and unpredictable results.
Summary
Sébastien Ogier secured his ninth WRC title in a dramatic season finale, equaling Loeb’s record. Neuville claimed the Saudi Arabia victory, and co-driver Vincent Landais achieved his first championship, closing a thrilling 2025 WRC season.
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Source: WRC
