Ogier Crashes Out of Central European Rally Stage
In a dramatic turn of events at the Central European Rally, Sébastien Ogier crashed out during stage testing, impacting the battle for the championship. Ogier was trailing behind Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Kalle Rovanperä when he lost control of his GR Yaris Rally1.
Incident Details
The crash occurred in a high-speed section of the course, which was covered in leaves. Ogier understeered and collided with a tree, causing significant damage to the front-left part of the vehicle. The impact was recorded at approximately 10G, resulting in the loss of a wheel from the car.
Fortunately, both Ogier and his co-driver Vincent Landais emerged unharmed from the incident.
Rovanperä’s Performance and Implications
Rovanperä capitalized on Ogier’s misfortune, winning the 21.95 km stage by 6.4 seconds ahead of competitor Elfyn Evans. This victory extended Rovanperä’s overall lead to 38.4 seconds.
Prior to the incident, Ogier was just seven-tenths of a second behind Rovanperä. He had lost his lead, which was 0.6 seconds, on the previous test.
Impact on Championship Standings
Ogier’s retirement from the race could significantly affect the drivers’ title race. With Ogier sidelined, Evans is positioned to take the lead in the championship standings. Rovanperä also remains a strong contender for the title.
Toyota’s Dominance
Toyota continues to showcase its strength in the rally, holding four of the top six positions. As the team approaches the potential for securing the 2025 manufacturers’ championship, the stakes remain high for all competitors.
