Sebastien Ogier (Toyota) has won his seventh world title in eight years (2013-16, 2017-18 and 2020) as he clinched his second win of the season after Mexico this Sunday at the Italian ACI Rally Monza. 

With his inseparable co-pilot Julien Ingrassia by his side, the Frenchman has demonstrated his 36-year-old seniority does not get in the way of his superior skills. This was also Ogier’s debut campaign with the Japanese firm. 

Ogier has prevailed once more in a very complicated season-ending round, marked by some dreadful weather conditions – snow, ice, mud – reminiscent of Monte Carlo. And all of this despite this being his first year at the wheel of the Yaris WRC. 

https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/status/1335556155137957888

The legendary champion from Gap has taken his seventh title with a third different manufacturer after doing so previously with Volkswagen and Ford. Behind him have classified the pair from Hyundai, defending champion Ott Tänak (+ 13.9s), and Spaniard Dani Sordo (+ 15.3s). 

The driver from Cantabria sealed a sensational performance, giving it all he had in the fight for second right until the last few metres. Thanks to the double podium of the South Korean team, Hyundai keeps its Constructors’ title.

The Welshman and overall favourite, who reached the Italian race leading teammate Ogier by 14 points, suffered a fateful accident on Saturday which rendered him unable to continue on Saturday and prevented him from becoming the third Briton in history to win a WRC. 

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2020 world champions: @SebOgier and #JulienIngrassia!#Toyota #YarisWRC #ToyotaGAZOORacing #WRC #ACIRallyMonza pic.twitter.com/TDI6SZb7eZ

— Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) December 6, 2020

Ogier’s premonition 

Sebastien Ogier’s maturity and expertise informed his forewarning words ahead of the final round of the World Rally Championship. The French declared casually to the press that the harsh weather conditions forecasted for the alpine stage on Saturday, could play in his favour, and so they did. 

The stage on Saturday decided the fate of the Monza Rally, as well as the outcome of this odd season, so heavily disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Ogier’s partner and main rival Elfyn Evans went off track at the 11th stage and from then on, the Frenchman cruised undisturbed towards his seventh crown, delighted at his exploit. This victory places him just two titles away from his compatriot and closest rival, Sebastien Loeb. 

With the latter fully retiring from the WRC to focus on the Dakar Rally Sebastien Ogier will have a new opportunity next season, supposedly his last one, to get even closer to the Olympus of the rally world, whose throne currently belongs to Loeb. 

Back at this weekend’s race, Sebastien Ogier showcased a victory as only the greatest can do. During the first day of competition, he devoted himself to study the unknown layout of the Monza racetrack and its surroundings. After that, he began to show his teeth. 

The final strike came during the 11th special on Saturday. Up until then, Evans had kept his advantage with Ogier, crouching behind him but close enough to keep one hand on the title. After Evans’ unfortunate accident, however, Sebastien Ogier found himself on a clear path to victory and with no one to stop him.

It was of course, fortunate for Frenchman of Toyota that the favourite had to retire, but his performance was flawless nonetheless. After the incident, Ogier gave one of his masterclasses on how to drive a rally car under such complicated conditions. 

https://twitter.com/TGR_WRC/status/1335490486849695747

Images of Sebastien Ogier: Toyota.