Sébastien Ogier, the renowned eight-time world rally champion, is shaking up the 2025 World Rally Championship season with his unexpected decisions. Despite climbing to second place in the championship after consecutive wins in Portugal and Sardinia, Ogier has surprised fans by announcing his absence from the upcoming Rally Estonia.
The anticipation was high after his stellar performances, leading many to speculate that Ogier might increase his participation beyond a traditional part-time schedule. However, with his withdrawal from Rally Estonia, the spotlight now shifts to Toyota, which will field four cars for the event. Takamoto Katsuta will join forces with teammates Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä in the manufacturer points chase.
As the lineup takes shape for Rally Estonia, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford are also gearing up with three Rally1 machines each. A total of 41 crews are set to compete in the event, marking its return to the WRC calendar after a one-year absence in the European Rally Championship. Among the contenders, Oliver Solberg is eyeing points in the WRC2 category, facing stiff competition from notable drivers like Nikolay Gryazin, Roope Korhonen, Lauri Joona, Mikko Heikkilä, and local Estonian talents Robert Virves, Georg Linnamäe, and Romet Jürgenson.
The stage is set for an adrenaline-pumping showdown in Rally Estonia, with Ogier’s absence adding an unexpected twist to the championship narrative. Stay tuned as the world of rally racing braces for another thrilling chapter in the 2025 WRC season.