admitted it was “arduous to simply accept” shedding a probable World Rally Championship victory in Portugal after working “out of luck” with a penultimate stage puncture.
The nine-time world champion produced a moist climate masterclass in treacherous circumstances on Saturday to take a 21.9s lead into Sunday’s ultimate 4 levels, and was seemingly on the right track for a eighth profession Rally Portugal win.
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Nonetheless, any hope of victory vanished when Ogier picked up a proper rear puncture within the penultimate stage that required a wheel change and the lack of two minutes. It proved to be a double blow for the Toyota group as third-placed additionally suffered a puncture in the identical place.
Sebastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Sebastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Ogier managed to convey his GR Yaris house in sixth general, as Hyundai’s inherited the rally lead, and went on to say a twenty third profession victory, ending his group’s anticipate win since November 2025.
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After delivering a classic show in a number of the worst circumstances Rally Portugal has served up in recent times, Ogier admitted witnessing his arduous work vanish straight away was powerful to take.
“I really feel as effectively that [co-driver] Vincent [Landais] and I deserve a lot better than this, however that’s a part of the sport in motorsport,” Ogier instructed Motorsport.com.
“Sadly we ran out of luck at this time, there is no such thing as a different rationalization for this puncture. We had been all driving in the identical line I’m fairly positive, as there is just one line within the ruts and the sand and the slim rocks.
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“Now we have seen these little rocks and it seems prefer it was okay for many of us however myself and Sami [Pajari] picked up punctures there. It was very early into this lengthy stage so there was no different possibility than stopping to alter the wheel and we needed to neglect any hope of getting a very good consequence.”
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
After producing a few of his best driving in difficult circumstances this weekend, the 42-year-old was proud to show that he nonetheless has the pace to combat on the prime of the game.
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“There are lots of causes to maintain the top up at this time for positive. We can’t cover that it all the time hits you whenever you get such dangerous luck after the arduous work we did this week, the place we did every thing we needed to do to get via these powerful circumstances,” added Ogier.
“We obtained very near the victory, it’s arduous to simply accept proper now. I’ve been lengthy sufficient within the sport proper now to know that’s the method it’s.
“I’ve to place that behind me and go to Japan with the assure that I nonetheless have the pace to combat on the entrance anyplace and anytime. That may be a good motive to maintain the top up.”
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