Sébastien Ogier Wins Rally Chile Bio Bío to Take FIA WRC Lead

Toyota star secures fifth victory of 2025 season, surpasses Elfyn Evans and sets historic record

Sébastien Ogier delivered a masterclass at Rally Chile Bio Bío 2025, claiming his fifth win of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season and seizing the championship lead. The eight-time world champion, co-driven by Vincent Landais, beat Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate and title rival Elfyn Evans by 11 seconds after a tense four-stage finale on Sunday.

Evans had begun the final day just 6.3 seconds adrift in an identical Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, but Ogier’s pace in damp and tricky conditions proved unbeatable. The Frenchman also secured maximum Super Sunday and Wolf Power Stage points, extending his momentum after victory in Paraguay.

Historic Toyota milestone

Ogier’s triumph marked Toyota’s 103rd WRC victory, cementing its position as the most successful manufacturer in championship history. The Japanese marque also celebrated its 10th win of the 2025 season, extending its lead over Hyundai Motorsport to 125 points in the manufacturers’ standings. A fifth consecutive crown now looks all but certain.

“Now we are number one – a record for Toyota more than deserved,” Ogier said. “It has been a more difficult weekend than Paraguay, but I’m happy with the way we finished. I’m looking forward to switching to tarmac at the Central European Rally.”

Podium battle and Hyundai struggles

Adrien Fourmaux shone early in Chile, leading after day one before finishing third, 46.5 seconds behind Ogier. The Frenchman was Hyundai’s best performer, scoring his third podium of the season. Team-mate Thierry Neuvillefinished fourth but admitted frustration that his driving wasn’t translating into stage times.

Ott Tänak, who had led the rally on Friday, suffered engine failure and salvaged only a single point after restarting with problems.

Championship shake-up

Former standings leader Kalle Rovanperä endured a difficult weekend, finishing sixth after a tyre debeading incident on day one. The Finn now drops to third in the championship, trailing Ogier by 21 points.

The Chile round also crowned the first champion of 2025: Oliver Solberg, who clinched the WRC2 title after holding off Nikolay Gryazin to win the category with co-driver Elliott Edmondson.

What’s next in the WRC?

With three rounds remaining, Ogier holds 224 points, just two ahead of Evans on 222. Rovanperä sits third on 203, keeping the title fight alive as the WRC heads to Europe. The next stop is the Central European Rally (16–19 October), featuring sealed-surface stages across Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.