Ogier dismisses runner-up result at Rally Japan

Sebastien Ogier concluded Rally Japan in second place, trailing team-mate Elfyn Evans by 12.8 seconds. The nine-time world champion noted that he struggled to maintain his usual pace on the technical asphalt stages, labeling his second-place finish as "first loser" despite the championship points gained.

Ogier identified the opening Isegami’s Tunnel stage on Friday as the turning point of the event. Being further back in the road order meant he dealt with significant road debris, losing over 16 seconds to Evans, who benefited from a cleaner road surface. While the Frenchman acknowledged the disadvantage, he praised his team-mate’s performance and noted that championship leaders deserve such benefits.

Beyond road position, Ogier struggled with tire management in the rising heat, finding that his car’s setup could not be optimized for his preferred driving style. Despite adjustments made with co-driver Vincent Landais, he remained unable to push as aggressively as he typically does on sealed surfaces.

This event served as the final asphalt rally for the current Rally1 technical regulations. While Ogier noted that the cars have been impressive to drive throughout their tenure, he admitted he was not particularly fond of his final outing in the current machinery as the sport prepares for a new technical era next season.