Sebastien Ogier with ninth world title

Frenchman Sebastien Ogier (Toyota) (right) won the ninth world title of his career in the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC), BTA reports. Thus he equaled the record held by his compatriot Sebastien Loeb. Ogier also became the oldest champion in the history of the competition. Ogier finished third in the final stage in Saudi Arabia. Entering the race, he was second in the overall championship standings, three points behind Welshman Elphin Evans (Toyota), who finished sixth.

This is the fifth time Evans has finished second in the overall standings in the last six seasons. Another title contender, two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota), finished seventh in the rally and third in the overall standings.

At 41 years and 348 days, Ogier became the oldest world rally champion, surpassing the record set by Finland's Hannu Mikkola (41 years and 183 days) in 1983. Ogier retired from WRC racing after the 2021 season, when he won his eighth championship title. Since then, he has been selective in his events, competing in between six and 10 rallies per season. Ogier had planned to compete partially this season, but added to his schedule after getting involved in the title race. The Frenchman ended up finishing 11 rallies, three fewer than his rivals. In these events, Ogier won six times and finished on the podium 10 times.

Ogier has competed in the WRC since 2008, participating in 203 rallies, winning 67 times (second to Loeb with 80) and finishing on the podium 115 times.
In the final round of the season in Saudi Arabia, Belgian Thierry Neuville won in a Hyundai, followed by Frenchman Adrian Fourmeaux in a Hyundai 54.7 seconds behind. Ogier finished third, 1:03.3 minutes behind the winner.

In the final standings for the season, Ogier finished first with 293 points, followed by Evans with 289 and Rovanpera with 256 points.