Triumphant but Torn: Ogier on rollercoaster Finland victory

The Frenchman moved to the front of the field after team-mate Kalle Rovanperä went off the road after colliding with a rock in the middle of the road in the penultimate test, with Ogier inheriting the lead and topping the Jyväskylä podium for the first time since 2013.

Talking after the event, Ogier admitted he was happy to secure more Finnish success – but he’d also experienced the full gamut of emotions in his time at the top of the FIA World Rally Championship.

“To win in Finland is always nice,” said Ogier, “even if this is not the way we would like to have taken it. The team provided an amazing car and dominated all weekend. Kalle and Jonne [Halttunen, co-driver] were in a different league than the rest and were very unlucky with this rock on the line.

“I feel for my team as we deserved a much better result. I lost a win in Sardinia earlier this season through luck and I have now gained one back here. I have been around long enough to experience many outcomes and emotions and I’ve been lucky to be on the right side of that equation most of the time – but not today. I would honestly have preferred to finish second but motorsport is unfair sometimes.”

Ogier’s third win of the season moves him into second place in the race for this year’s world title with four rounds remaining.