The 2025 World Rally Championship has been full of drama and fierce competition, but one of the most surprising twists of the season came from Sebastien Ogier after the Sardinia Rally. The eight-time world champion, who has once again shown his masterful driving skills by winning the Monte Carlo, Portugal and Sardinia events, has announced that he will not be aiming for the drivers’ championship this year. Instead, he singled out teammate Kalle Rovanperä, saying that the Finn deserves the title more. The statement has sparked widespread debate in motorsport circles and among fans on social media, especially on the X-platform, where Ogier’s words have been praised for their sportsmanship.
Ogier, 41, has been a bright spot in the 2025 season, despite only being part of the Toyota team. His 10th win at Monte Carlo broke records, and in Sardinia he held off Ott Tänak by a slim 7.9 seconds, despite crashing into a tree on the Power Stage. His performances show that the Frenchman is still at the top, but his focus is not on the championship. He is second in the championship with 114 points, just one ahead of Rovanpera and 19 behind series leader Elfyn Evans. Ogier’s decision to focus on individual victories rather than the overall championship has raised questions about his motivation and future.
“I think Kalle deserves the championship more,” Ogier said in an interview with Rally.TV after the Sardinia Rally. “He drives a full season, fights in every race and is incredibly fast. I enjoy driving, but I don’t want to commit to a full championship chase.” The comment came after Rovanperä dominated the Sardinia Power Stage and Sunday’s points race, collecting maximum points and closing the gap on Evans. Rovanperä, a two-time world champion, has shown blistering pace, especially in gravel rallies, such as the Canary Islands, where he won by a crushing 36 seconds over Ogier.
Rovanperä has had a strong season, although he has experienced setbacks, such as a retirement in Jyväskylä, where he lost an almost certain victory due to a stone. However, he was unbeatable in the Canary Islands, clocking the best times on almost every special stage. This shows his ability to master asphalt, although gravel is his forte. Rovanperä has praised Ogier’s words, but stressed that the championship is still a long way off. “Sebastien is a legend, and his support means a lot. But we still have eight races left, and Evans is strong,” he told MTV.
Ogier’s decision is understandable at this stage of his career. He has hinted at a possible retirement, especially after Monte Carlo, where he dedicated his victory to his uncle who passed away a year ago. The Frenchman has said that Monte Carlo is his “rally”, and his passion is now focused on enjoyment and individual performances. This makes room for Toyota’s younger drivers, such as Rovanperä and Sami Pajar, who has also shown potential in the WRC1 class.
Rally Sardinia showed Toyota’s dominance as the team took its sixth consecutive victory, a feat it has never achieved in the WRC’s main category. Rovanperä’s strong performance and Ogier’s support will strengthen his position in the championship fight, but Evans still holds the lead. The next round in Greece, which is run on gravel, will favour Rovanperä, who has previously shown his strength in the Acropolis Rally. In X, fans have praised Ogier’s unselfishness, but some question whether he could still return to the championship fight if the situation gets worse.
The 2025 calendar, which includes 14 events and new rallies such as Paraguay and Saudi Arabia, keeps the competition open. The battle between Rovanperä and Evans is tight, and Ogier’s decision to focus on individual victories could prove decisive. His words are not only respectful of Rovanperä, but also a realistic view of his own role. The rally world is now waiting to see if Rovanperä can earn Ogier’s trust and claim his third world championship.
