Ogier wins in Spain and secures manufactures title

Sébastien Ogier stormed to his first victory of the FIA World Rally Championship’s hybrid era - triumphing at RallyRACC - Rally de España while helping secure the manufacturers’ title for Toyota Gazoo Racing.

The Frenchman has been contesting a part-time campaign for Toyota this season and took control of this penultimate round when he posted a trio of fastest times across the middle of the three-day asphalt rally.

Driving a GR Yaris, Ogier carried a 20.7sec lead into Sunday’s final leg and could afford to negotiate the final four speed tests without taking excessive risks.

He did exactly that, clinching victory by 16.4sec from Hyundai i20 N star Thierry Neuville to mark his first triumph of the WRC’s hybrid era and win number one for co-driver Benjamin Veillas.

Kalle Rovanperä, who won the drivers’ championship earlier this month, confirmed a double podium for Toyota. His result secured the Japanese marque its second-successive manufacturers’ crown