Ogier Dominates WRC Sardinia 2025 After Neuville’s Crash!

Could Thierry Neuville maintain his lead at WRC Sardinia 2025? That question was answered dramatically on Friday (6/6/2025) when the reigning world champion from Hyundai suffered a devastating crash, breaking his car’s rear wheel. The incident paved the way for Sebastien Ogier (Toyota Gazoo Racing) to take the lead in the rally standings amid fierce competition at the Alghero circuit in Italy.

Rally Sardinia began with a surprise. Hyundai dominated the morning, with Adrien Fourmaux in the lead, followed by Thierry Neuville, trailing by 2.9 seconds, while Sebastien Ogier was in third, 8.1 seconds behind. However, disaster struck Neuville on the fourth stage (SS4). His i20 N Rally1 hit a wall at high speed after a jump, causing the left rear suspension to break. Neuville was forced to retire from the first day, though he rejoined the rally the following day.

Sebastien Ogier, starting as the third road opener, capitalized on the situation with skill. Despite challenging gravel road conditions, he ended the first day leading over Ott Tanak (Hyundai), who was now 10.7 seconds behind. “It’s a good start. Our team conducted an in-depth analysis after Portugal, and I’m more satisfied with the car this time,” said Ogier, who previously won WRC Portugal.

The competition in Sardinia didn’t stop with Neuville’s drama. Adrien Fourmaux (M-Sport Ford), who briefly led, suffered a similar fate with a crash on stage 11 (SS11), though the crew was reported safe. This incident caused him to lose significant time. Meanwhile, Toyota showed dominance, with Kalle Rovanpera in third (+44.9 seconds) and Elfyn Evans in fourth (+4 minutes 18.2 seconds), despite both facing tire issues. Young driver Sami Pajari also turned heads, securing fifth place (+4 minutes 29.9 seconds), showcasing great potential at WRC Sardinia 2025.

Neuville’s crash was a major blow for Hyundai, which has a strong history in Sardinia. With Ogier now leading and Evans still topping the championship standings with a 30-point lead over Rovanpera, Toyota is firmly in control. However, Neuville and Tanak, who rejoined after their first-day incidents, still have a chance to chase points in the remaining stages.

Ogier, an eight-time world champion, emphasized his ambition: “Sardinia is always challenging, but we’re ready to fight until the end.” With his vast experience, including four Sardinia victories, Ogier is a strong favorite to claim a fifth win.

With WRC Sardinia 2025 still featuring crucial stages, all eyes are on Ogier to maintain his lead. Can Tanak or Rovanpera close the gap, or will Neuville stage a surprising comeback? Follow the continuation of this rally drama until the closing day on Sunday (8/6/2025)!

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