WRC
Ogier poised to equal Latvala’s all-time WRC starts record in Chile
Sébastien Ogier is set to add another milestone to his remarkable career at Rally Chile BIOBÍO this week, where the nine-time champion will equal Jari-Matti Latvala’s record for the most WRC starts.
Ogier arrives in Concepción with 212 FIA World Rally Championship appearances to his name, one fewer than Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team principal Latvala, whose tally of 213 currently stands alone at the top of the all-time list.
Starting Rally Chile will therefore draw the Frenchman level with his former team-mate and current boss, almost two decades after his own WRC journey began.
Ogier made his championship debut at Rally Mexico in 2008 before going on to win the Junior WRC title that same season. His first opportunity in a top-class Citroën C4 WRC came at Wales Rally GB, where he immediately made an impression by setting the fastest time on the opening stage.
Eighteen years later, his numbers place him firmly among the sport’s greats.
The 42-year-old has collected 69 WRC victories and 119 podium finishes, while his ninth world title last season drew him level with Sébastien Loeb at the head of the championship’s all-time title standings.
Perhaps most remarkable has been the longevity of that success.
After stepping away from full-time competition following his eighth title in 2021, Ogier continued on a reduced programme but remained a regular rally winner. Last season he won six of the 11 rounds he contested – despite missing three rallies – before securing a ninth crown at the season finale in Saudi Arabia.
Chile played an important role in that campaign.
© WRC
Ogier defeated Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans by 11.0sec on the Bío Bío gravel roads last year, his first victory on the South American fixture and the smallest winning margin in the rally’s WRC history.
His previous appearances have underlined both his pace and the unpredictability of the event. Ogier finished second on Chile’s inaugural WRC running in 2019, while his 2024 challenge was derailed by a puncture followed by suspension damage and retirement.
He returns this week seeking another victory after a difficult ueno Rally del Paraguay, where two Friday punctures ended his hopes of fighting at the front.
Ogier has already added victories at Rally Islas Canarias and EKO Acropolis Rally Greece to his CV in 2026 and is keen to put the frustrations of Paraguay behind him.
“Paraguay was a tough event, as it was for most, and now we just need to look forward to Chile,” he said.
“It’s a rally where the conditions can hopefully be more consistent and it can be a fair fight between everyone, even if we know that the weather can also change quite quickly there.
“It’s another event that we have great memories of winning last year, and we will of course be trying to repeat that this time. The roads are pretty good fun to drive and the atmosphere is always nice, so it should be an enjoyable one.”
