One of the most decorated drivers in WRC history, Sébastien Ogier’s journey to the top began later than most. Unlike many of his rivals, he only started rallying at 23, but it didn’t take long for him to make his mark. Two years in, he won the Junior WRC title in 2008, earning a shot in a Citroën C4 WRC at Rally GB. His impact was immediate—winning the opening stage on his WRC debut.
Citroën took note, offering Ogier a full season in their junior team for 2009. He repaid their faith with a maiden podium at Acropolis Rally Greece and continued his momentum into 2010, where a stunning victory at Rally Portugal saw him promoted to the main squad. He secured another win in Japan and quickly established himself as a rising force.
In 2011, Ogier went head-to-head with team-mate Sébastien Loeb, matching the WRC legend with five wins. However, crashes in Portugal, Australia, and Wales derailed his title bid, leaving him third in the standings. When Volkswagen announced its WRC entry for 2013, Ogier was snapped up early, spending 2012 competing in a Škoda Fabia S2000 to stay sharp.
When Volkswagen’s Polo R WRC hit the stages in 2013, Ogier’s dominance began. He secured his first WRC title with nine wins that season. Over the next three years, he was unstoppable, racking up three more consecutive championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Following Volkswagen's abrupt withdrawal, Ogier made a shock move to the independent M-Sport Ford squad for 2017, where he defied the odds to claim two more back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.
A brief return to Citroën in 2019 proved frustrating, but a move to Toyota in 2020 rejuvenated his career. He secured his seventh title in a thrilling 2020 finale at Monza and successfully defended his crown in 2021.
As WRC ushered in its hybrid era in 2022, Ogier transitioned to a part-time role to balance his professional career with family life. Even with a reduced schedule, he remained the benchmark for pace. In 2024, he finished fourth in the standings despite missing several rounds, proving he was still capable of fighting for the crown.
The 2025 season proved to be one of the most remarkable of his career. Despite officially maintaining a part-time programme and missing three rallies, Ogier’s clinical efficiency saw him win six out of the 11 events he started - including a milestone 10th victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo and wins in Portugal, Italy, Paraguay, Chile, and Japan.
WRC Rally Saudi Arabia 2025, Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais
The title fight went down to the final stages of the season-ending Rally Saudi Arabia. In a high-stakes desert showdown against team-mate Elfyn Evans, Ogier’s experience shone through. By securing a podium finish, he clinched his ninth WRC title, finally equalling the legendary record held by Sébastien Loeb. It was his first championship with co-driver Vincent Landais, further solidifying Ogier's legacy as the most versatile and successful driver of the modern era.
WRC photos 2026
WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026, Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais
