Nobody has ever doubted Ogier’s speed on any event and he demonstrated that in bucketloads last week, but he also demonstrated a ruthless ability to control proceedings.

Esapekka Lappi was 5.3 seconds ahead on Friday night. Once the Hyundai driver went off the road, Ogier was near enough half a minute ahead of his team-mate Elfyn Evans.

Thirty seconds in Mexico is a defendable lead. Just. But it’s by no means comfortable.

Yet Ogier managed to look comfortable. Never having a single moment. Meanwhile other championship contenders such as Tanäk who got a puncture and Rövenpera who had bad road position slipped down the order. With only the power stage to go we saw the drivers giving it everything and at the end of the stage we saw that Takamoto Katsuta and Ött Tänak made a bet whoever could jump the furthest at the finish line. Ött was second to come through and jumped further although at the end he quoted this “I felt my neck in my ass”. With Ogier just left he took a record breaking 7th rally Mexico win

Ogier wins 7th rally Mexico