Toyota and Ogier Enjoy Dominance in Spain

Sébastien Ogier won his first race in the hybrid era of the FIA World Rally Championship WRC) atthe RallyRACC Rally of Spain, giving Toyota Gazoo Racing the manufacturers’ championship

- Kurt Morris

THE FRENCHMAN, WHO HAS BEEN T competing for Toyota on a part-time basis this season, took command of this penultimate round by posting three of the fastest times throughout the course of the three-day asphalt rally. Ogier, who was driving a GR Yaris, had a 20.7-second advantage going into the last leg on Sunday and could afford to proceed cautiously through the remaining four speed challenges.

He accomplished this by outlasting the Hyundai i20 N driver, Thierry Neuville, by 16.4 seconds, giving co-driver Benjamin Veillas his first victory in the WRC hybrid era. Toyota will finish on the podium twice, according to Kalle Rovanperä, who won the drivers' championship earlier this month. His performance gave the Japanese brand its second consecutive manufacturer's title.