Mārtiņš Sesks inherits the lead at Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 after Adrien Fourmaux received a 60-second penalty, intensifying the Ogier–Evans championship battle.
Friday Drama in Saudi Arabia
Fourmaux initially held a narrow advantage after SS14, with Sesks and Neuville close behind. The lead changed hands multiple times during a brutal day.
Fourmaux checked in early at a technical zone, incurring the penalty that dropped him to fourth. Sesks moved into first, ahead of Neuville and Katsuta.
Title Fight Tightens
Elfyn Evans lost time on SS11 due to a puncture, finishing the day eighth. Sébastien Ogier suffered a rear-right puncture but retains a provisional one-point lead.
The championship will be decided across Saturday’s final three stages, totaling 65.86 kilometers. Sesks seeks a maiden victory while Ogier and Evans battle for the title.
Punctures and Stage Challenges
Both Sesks and Fourmaux faced tyre failures, forcing careful driving. Neuville and Katsuta avoided major incidents, securing the overnight podium positions.
Other Notable Performances
Sami Pajari and Ott Tänak suffered delays on Um Al Jerem, dropping Pajari from third to seventh and Tänak out of the top 10. Kalle Rovanperä claimed fifth ahead of Ogier.
Stage Highlights
Sesks won the second pass of Um Al Jerem with an eight-second margin. Rovanperä ended the day with a stage win, consolidating his position in the top five.
Overnight WRC Standings
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mārtiņš Sesks / R Francis | Ford Puma Rally1 |
| 2 | Thierry Neuville / M Wydaeghe | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 |
| 3 | Takamoto Katsuta / A Johnston | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 4 | Adrien Fourmaux / A Coria | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 |
| 5 | Kalle Rovanperä / J Halttunen | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 6 | Sébastien Ogier / V Landais | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 7 | Sami Pajari / | – |
| 8 | Elfyn Evans / | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 9 | Grégoire Munster / | – |
| 10 | Oliver Solberg / | – |
Summary
Sesks starts the final day in front after Fourmaux’s penalty. Ogier holds a one-point lead in the championship, keeping the WRC title fight alive for Saturday’s decisive stages.
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Source: WRC
