Ogier secures record seventh victory at rally Mexico

Eight time world rally champion Sebastien Ogeir moved top of the Drivers standings with victory in Mexico | Photo Credit: WRC

MOTORSPORT Ogier secures record seventh victory at rally Mexico

Shafic Kiyaga 22:05 - 19.03.2023

The Frenchman, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing, finished 27.5 seconds clear of Thierry Neuville, who put up a determined challenge behind the wheel of his Hyundai i20 N.

Sebastien Ogier made a triumphant return to the FIA World Rally Championship by securing a record seventh victory at the Mexico Rally.

The Frenchman, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing, finished 27.5 seconds clear of Thierry Neuville, who put up a determined challenge behind the wheel of his Hyundai i20 N.

Starting his second rally of the 2023 campaign, Ogier held a sizeable advantage of 35.8 seconds going into the final leg of the event.

With his ultimate prowess, he negotiated the remaining four speed tests and also collected maximum bonus points from the Wolf Power Stage.

“The car was great this weekend and it was a faultless rally for us and the team,” said Ogier, whose WRC debut came in Mexico in 2008.

“As I am doing the next rally, it's important to start first on the road there and it was important to get the points for the team as well,” he added, referencing the Croatia Rally.

Neuville showed a stubborn spirit behind the wheel of his Hyundai as he battled relentlessly with Ogier's teammate, Elfyn Evans.

Despite starting the day 5.3 seconds behind Evans, Neuville closed in on him and eventually overtook him in the finale, claiming second place overall by just four-tenths of a second.

The Belgian's spirited driving provided an exhilarating end to the four-day fixture.

Reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä, driving for Toyota, struggled to match the pace of the top three and settled for fourth place overall.

Meanwhile, Dani Sordo finished more than a minute further back in fifth place in his Hyundai.

The Mexican rally, returning to the championship after two years retained its reputation as a tough challenge biting several of the leading Rally1 crews, enabling Gus Greensmith to finish a mighty sixth overall in his WRC2-specification Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

Behind him were fellow support category challengers Emil Lindholm and Oliver Solberg.

Ott Tänak, driving for M-Sport Ford Puma, suffered from turbocharger failure that cost him over 14 minutes on Friday morning.

He managed to secure ninth place overall. Meanwhile, WRC2 star Kajetan Kajetanowicz completed the top 10.

With this victory, Ogier now leads the drivers' championship by three points from Neuville. He credited his team for the performance, but quickly turned his focus on Croatia where he will start first on the road.

The FIA World Rally Championship is set to return on asphalt for next month's Croatia Rally, which takes place from 20 - 23 April in the capital city of Zagreb.