Sebastien Ogier described his seventh Rally Portugal victory as one of the most physically demanding rallies in his World Rally Championship career. Co-driven by Vincent Landais, the eight-time world champion overcame Ott Tanak to secure his 63rd career win at the same event where he achieved his first win 15 years ago. Tanak’s power steering failure on Saturday shifted the momentum in Ogier’s favor, despite the intense competition.
Ogier admitted to struggling physically and feeling on the limit due to the grueling rally schedule – with long days and short nights taking their toll. The rally’s Friday leg consisted of 683km, with crews spending 14 hours on the road, followed by a 13-hour Saturday that started at 6am. Feeling physically drained, Ogier acknowledged the challenging nature of the event and the toll it took on his energy levels.
Post-victory, Ogier expressed his exhaustion and the need for recovery, emphasizing the demanding nature of Rally Portugal. Despite the physical strain, he lauded his team’s hard work and expressed gratitude for their efforts. The intense battle with Tanak and the overall competition showcased the relentless push for success in modern-day rallies, adding to the satisfaction of securing the hard-fought victory.
