SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 5, 2025 – In a heart-stopping desert finale at Rally Saudi Arabia, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing star Sébastien Ogier clinched a record-equalling ninth FIA World Rally Championship title, outpacing teammate Elfyn Evans in a last-day points shootout that kept fans guessing right up to the final stage.
Desert showdown for the crown
The brand-new Saudi Arabian round delivered everything you’d expect from a season decider: soft and sandy desert tracks, rough mountain roads, scorching temperatures – and three title contenders all wearing the same Toyota badge. Ogier, Evans and Kalle Rovanperä headed into the rally knowing the championship would be settled here, but the loose surfaces and brutal puncture risk meant they were fighting two battles: each other and the elements.
Evans arrived leading the standings by three points, only to lose 1m40s on Friday after stopping to change a tyre. Ogier wasn’t spared either, dropping time with a loss of tyre pressure later that day. That left the pair separated by just one effective point heading into “Super Saturday,” with up to 10 bonus points still available for the day’s classification and the rally-ending Power Stage.
How the final day turned the title fight
Saturday morning set the tone: just 0.1s split Ogier and Evans on the opening stage. But the penultimate test, the 33.28 km Asfan stage, proved decisive. Ogier went 7.9s faster than Evans and then moved up to third overall as other drivers hit trouble, crucially putting four positions between himself and his teammate.
Evans threw everything at the Power Stage, setting the fastest time by 7.2s, but it wasn’t quite enough. Ogier stayed ahead in the Super Saturday classification, winning it by just 0.8s and sealing his 10th podium from 11 starts this season, including six rally wins.
By the finish, Ogier’s third place overall was enough to settle the title: he ends the year on 293 points, with Evans on 289 and Rovanperä third on 256. Thierry Neuville took the Rally Saudi Arabia victory for Hyundai, but the biggest celebrations belonged to Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais, who is crowned world champion for the first time.
A golden era for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
With this result, Ogier equals fellow French legend Sébastien Loeb on nine world titles – and does it four years after stepping away from full-time competition. It’s his third championship with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team and the 10th drivers’ crown achieved at the wheel of a Toyota, matching Lancia’s all-time record.
It also continues a remarkable run for TGR-WRT: a team crew has now been crowned world champion six times in seven years, and Toyota has swept all three championships four times in the last five seasons, having already secured the manufacturers’ title at the Central European Rally.
Team chairman Akio Toyoda summed up the mood simply: “Wow! He is surely strong! When I watch Seb, that’s the thought that comes to mind. Congratulations on the ninth championship, and congratulations to Vincent on his first title as well!”
Farewells, fresh starts and rising stars
Behind Ogier, it was a weekend of emotion throughout the Toyota camp. Evans and co-driver Scott Martin wrapped up a hugely consistent season as runners-up, finishing inside the top six on all 14 rallies with two wins and six further podiums. “It wasn’t to be for us, but Seb and Vincent have been amazing all year and deserve this title,” Evans said, while already looking ahead to another push next year.
Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen, needing a huge points swing to take a third title, suffered early tyre damage and ended up seventh after a wild penultimate stage. It was an intense farewell rally before the young Finn’s groundbreaking switch to single-seater circuit racing with TGR support next year. “Of course, it’s sad to be leaving the sport and the people who have been the biggest part of my life, but I can also be super proud of what we’ve achieved,” he reflected.
Rising talents Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen capped their first full Rally1 season with an impressive fourth place, while Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston salvaged fifth after a late roll when chasing the podium. WRC2 champions Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson once again led the Rally2 runners in their GR Yaris Rally2 – and will step up to the TGR-WRT Rally1 line-up in 2026.
Editorial extra: 3 reasons Ogier’s ninth title hits differently
- A comeback story at the very top. Ogier achieved this ninth crown after stepping back from full-time rallying, proving he can still beat the best on a part-time schedule.
- A title won in the tightest of margins. Just four points separated him and Evans after 14 rallies, with the outcome decided by bonus points and tenths of a second on the final day.
- A new chapter for a legendary brand. With Toyota now tied for the most drivers’ titles in WRC history, the GR YARIS nameplate is fast becoming a modern icon in rallying lore.
For full stage times, onboard videos and complete WRC standings, visit www.wrc.com.