Ogier Victorious on Canary Islands Rally

Sebastien Ogier has once again demonstrated his mastery of the rally circuit, clinching a hard-fought victory on the demanding Canary Islands stages. This win, his first of the 2026 season and an astounding 68th of his illustrious career, solidifies his legendary status in the World Rally Championship. Driving for Toyota, Ogier navigated the treacherous terrain with precision, proving that experience and calm under pressure are paramount.

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The rally is tough. Being fast is important, but being at the end is even more important. I never panicked when I saw Solberg pushing and I kept my rhythm.

The Canary Islands rally was a testament to Toyota's incredible team performance. The Japanese manufacturer locked out the top four positions, with Elfyn Evans finishing second, Sami Pajari third, and Takamoto Katsuta fourth. This dominant display not only highlights the superior engineering of their vehicles but also the exceptional talent within the team. Evans' second-place finish was enough to propel him into the overall championship lead, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

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First of all, it was very pleasant. We drove an excellent car again and it was a lot of fun, congratulations to the whole team. The whole weekend was extremely tight with my teammates, especially with Oliver. It's a shame we couldn't all finish together and bring this show to an end, but from our side, I think we did what we had to do.

While the victory belongs to Ogier and Toyota, the rally was not without its drama. Oliver Solberg, who was challenging Ogier closely, made a critical error on the penultimate stage, leading to his retirement. His frustration was palpable, acknowledging his over-optimism. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins in WRC; a moment's misjudgment can cost dearly. For fans in Croatia, watching our drivers compete against such formidable international talent is always a point of pride, even as we acknowledge the sheer dominance of teams like Toyota.

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It was a solid weekend. We started badly. Unfortunately, that took us out of the fight for victory a bit, so the feelings are mixed. But congratulations to Seb, he drove an exceptional weekend and deserves the win here.