With just one stage remaining in 2023 and a victory all but assured, Dominguez and co-driver Rogelio Peñate were left desperately attempting to fix a steering issue on their Ford Fiesta Rally3 at the end of the penultimate stage after it broke between the flying finish and the stop line.
Twelve months on, however, there was no such drama for the Paraguayan driver as he became his country’s first WRC champion, completing the rally more than four minutes ahead of Eduardo Castro to build an unassailable lead in the championship.
“It feels amazing, having my dad here, I just want to thank him for everything he did for me, my family, my girlfriend…everyone who helped me – it is just an unbelievable feeling,” exclaimed the ecstatic Dominguez at the completion of the Wolf Power Stage.
Castro’s second place finish was never in threat, with France's Ghjuvanni Rossi finishing a further 35 minutes adrift after restarting on Saturday following engine issues in his Renault Clio Rally3 on Friday.
Japan
Poland
Turkey