The 2025 WRC season is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic finales in recent history. With only three rallies left, the balance of power has shifted in ways no one anticipated. What started as Elfyn Evans’ steady march to the crown has now been flipped on its head by none other than the legend himself – Sébastien Ogier.
Ogier: The Part-Timer Who Rewrote the Script
Ogier entered 2025 on a part-time schedule. Yet, after his victories in Paraguay and most recently in Chile, the Frenchman has stormed to the top of the standings with 224 points, edging out Elfyn Evans at 222 points, with Kalle Rovanperä still in the fight at 203 points.
This Toyota 1-2-3 dominance has sparked questions:
Is Toyota simply untouchable with their cars?
Or has Ogier’s presence raised the level of the entire squad?
Ogier was clear after his Chile victory:
💬 “Rally is about the driver. Excuses about car performance don’t win titles. Toyota is reliable, and the TGR team is incredibly supportive.”
Evans & Rovanperä: In the Shadow of a Legend
Evans, once thought to be the frontrunner, has seen his momentum checked by Ogier. He attributed his Chile slip to weather conditions but knows that excuses don’t count against the consistency of a driver like Ogier.
Rovanperä, meanwhile, remains fast but hasn’t turned speed into consistent results. With 203 points, he is still in the mix, but Toyota’s intra-team rivalry could decide how much support he gets in the final run.
Hyundai: Friday Fire, Sunday Fade
Hyundai had flashes of brilliance in Chile. Adrien Fourmaux stunned the field with a Friday lead, and while he ended with a podium, the curse of fading pace over weekends continues to haunt the team.
Fourmaux admitted:
💬 “Our car flies on Fridays, but by Saturday and Sunday things fall apart. We need to understand why and fix it.”
Thierry Neuville, the 2024 champion, painted a broader picture – too much instability, too many changes within Hyundai. His 166 points reflect not only tough luck but also a team struggling for consistency. Ott Tänak, despite moments of brilliance, has seen his campaign collapse under reliability issues – an engine failure in Chile was the latest heartbreak, leaving him on 181 points.
Toyota’s Psychological Edge – Even in WRC2
Even Oliver Solberg’s decision to step down to WRC2 with Toyota raised eyebrows. Yet, the young Norwegian delivered a statement win in Chile, proving both his maturity and Toyota’s depth. He hinted at a 2026 Rally1 comeback, and with self-belief plus the backing of Toyota, it looks like a matter of when, not if.
Ford Puma: The Struggle Continues
The M-Sport Ford team has had little to cheer about. With only 157 points in manufacturers’, their drivers continue to battle reliability issues and pressure-induced mistakes. Josh McErlean’s power loss in Chile summed up their season – a team that wants it badly but lacks the consistency to match Toyota and Hyundai.
Manufacturer Standings – A Toyota Fortress
Toyota Gazoo Racing – 572 points
Hyundai Motorsport – 447 points
M-Sport Ford – 157 points
Toyota’s dominance is not just about speed – it’s about depth, reliability, and the aura of Ogier leading from the front.
What Next? Rally CER – The Tarmac Showdown
The championship heads to Rally CER, a pure tarmac battle that could either extend Toyota’s stronghold or open the door for Hyundai redemption. For Ogier, it’s another chance to prove why legends are built in pressure moments. For Evans and Rovanperä, it’s about survival and hope. For Hyundai – it’s now or never.
One thing is clear: the fight for the 2025 title is wide open, and Toyota’s rivals must find something extraordinary to stop the juggernaut.
Rally Fanatics 
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