Watching Sébastien Ogier claim his seventh victory at the Vodafone Rally de Portugal felt particularly special this year. Ten years ago, in 2015, I was there in Portugal myself, witnessing Ogier clinch victory behind the wheel of his Volkswagen Polo R WRC.
I vividly remember being ferried by helicopter from stage to stage, watching the cars tearing up the dirt tracks below. The roar of the engines, the clouds of dust, and the adrenaline rush were matched only by the unforgettable hospitality of the Portuguese fans. Many of them enthusiastically offered beers and barbecued meats just feet away from the cars speeding past—an incredible rally atmosphere unlike any other.
Back then, Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia dominated a fiercely competitive rally, securing Volkswagen’s fourth (or was it fifth?) victory of the season and setting a new record for the longest winning streak in WRC history for the Polo R WRC. Those intense battles, with results decided by mere fractions of a second, still linger vividly in my memory.
Fast forward to 2025, and Ogier remains a force to be reckoned with. Hyundai’s Ott Tänak initially seemed poised to win, pushing hard and leading confidently. But as rallying often goes, unpredictability struck when Tänak lost power steering on Saturday. Ogier seized the moment and never looked back. Tänak fought hard, finishing second and securing maximum points on the Power Stage—a testament to his resilience.
Kalle Rovanperä, the defending champion, delivered another solid performance to take third place, keeping his title hopes alive. Thierry Neuville and Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five, while current championship leader Elfyn Evans ended sixth, tightening the championship battle.
Current Drivers’ Championship Standings:
1 Elfyn Evans – 118 points
2 Kalle Rovanperä – 88 points
3 Sébastien Ogier – 86 points
4 Ott Tänak – 84 points
5 Thierry Neuville – 78 points
In the WRC2 class, Oliver Solberg showed complete dominance, winning comfortably. Jan Solans was the only Spanish driver to finish, taking fifth, as his compatriots Dani Sordo, Alejandro Cachón, and Diego Ruiloba retired due to mechanical issues.
It’s great to see the crowds returning in full force post-COVID, packed stages and vibrant energy once again defining the WRC experience.
Looking ahead, all eyes shift to Rally Italia Sardegna from 5 to 8 June, with the championship tighter than ever.
As Ogier celebrated his seventh Portugal win, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my incredible experience all those years ago. Rallying has changed and evolved, yet it still delivers the same thrill. Here’s to the next decade of unforgettable moments in this incredible motorsport.
