Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Ogier Clinches Ninth WRC Title in Saudi Finale as Neuville Wins Debut Rally

The 41-year-old sealed the crown on a part-time schedule, becoming the WRC’s oldest champion.

Overview

  • Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville won Rally Saudi Arabia by 54.7s from teammate Adrien Fourmaux, with Sébastien Ogier third.
  • Ogier matched Sébastien Loeb’s record with nine championships despite skipping three of 14 rounds and set the age mark for oldest WRC champion.
  • Elfyn Evans arrived three points ahead but road-sweeping duties and a puncture left him sixth overall, and his Power Stage win could not prevent a four-point title swing.
  • The inaugural Saudi event featured rocky and sandy tests that drivers called a “lottery,” with widespread punctures, an early check-in penalty for Fourmaux, and leader Martins Sesks retiring after double punctures.
  • Provisional standings list Ogier 293 points, Evans 289 and Kalle Rovanperä 256; Ogier said he will contest 10 rallies in 2026 as co-driver Vincent Landais celebrated a first title.