Sebastien Ogier clinched a record-equalling ninth World Rally Championship crown after a tense and controversial finale at Rally Saudi Arabia. The Frenchman finished third on the Jeddah stages but picked up nine bonus points, giving him a four-point cushion over Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans.
Evans arrived with a three-point lead but ended the rally sixth, despite winning the final stage to earn maximum bonus points. The Welshman, now a five-time runner-up, said he had “done what we can” after another near miss.
Drama in Treacherous Saudi Conditions
Drivers had heavily criticised the new Saudi event, calling the surfaces unpredictable. That played out on the penultimate stage as leader Martins Sesks suffered two punctures, Takamoto Katsuta rolled, and Kalle Rovanpera stopped to change a wheel.
Thierry Neuville capitalised on the chaos to claim his first win of the season and secure the opening Ogier needed in the title fight. Ogier, who won six rallies this year, praised Evans and Scott Martin for pushing him “to the very last stage”.
Evans must wait another year for a shot at becoming Britain’s third WRC champion after Colin McRae and Richard Burns. Ireland’s Josh McErlean finished ninth in Saudi and 11th overall, while Gus Greensmith claimed WRC2 victory.
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