Electric Cars

In a thrilling World Rally Championship event in Chile, veteran driver Sebastien Ogier claimed his fifth victory of the season, propelling him to the top of the championship standings. This triumph also marked a significant milestone for Toyota, as they surpassed Citroen to become the manufacturer with the most rally wins in WRC history. The challenging Chilean stages, characterized by changing weather conditions, saw a fierce battle unfold, with Ogier ultimately prevailing over his Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans. Concurrently, Oliver Solberg secured his first WRC2 title, demonstrating a commanding performance throughout the rally.

The Rally Chile proved to be a challenging yet exhilarating contest across its 16 stages. Sebastien Ogier, despite his initial struggles on Friday's damp stages where he admitted to having an incorrect setup, showcased his resilience and skill. He steadily climbed the ranks from as low as seventh, eventually finding his rhythm and moving into contention. His co-driver, Vincent Landais, played a crucial role in their success, ensuring flawless navigation and execution. The changeable weather, which saw damp conditions give way to drying tracks, significantly influenced the race dynamics, favoring those who could adapt quickly.

Toyota's dominance was evident throughout the event, culminating in their record-breaking 103rd rally victory. This achievement solidifies their position in WRC history, surpassing the previous record held by Citroen. Ogier's victory not only added to Toyota's illustrious tally but also provided him with a crucial 35 points, including 10 from the Super Sunday stages, giving him a two-point advantage over Elfyn Evans in the overall championship.

While Hyundai initially appeared strong, holding a 1-2-3 lead early in the rally, their challenge gradually faded. Adrien Fourmaux managed to secure a podium finish in third place, 46.5 seconds behind Ogier, while Thierry Neuville finished fourth, 59.0 seconds adrift. Kalle Rovanpera, another title contender, saw his hopes for victory dashed on Friday due to an incident that cost him valuable time. Ott Tanak also faced misfortune with an engine failure, although he rejoined on Sunday to salvage Super Sunday points, placing him 43 points behind Ogier in the championship.

In the WRC2 category, Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson delivered an exceptional performance, clinching their fifth class win of the season and securing their maiden WRC2 title with three rounds to spare. Solberg overcame an early spin to dominate the class, finishing ninth overall and comfortably ahead of Nikolay Gryazin by 40.4 seconds. His main rivals, Yohan Rossel and Gus Greensmith, encountered engine issues that prevented them from challenging for the title.

This rally underscored the importance of adaptability and teamwork in the face of unpredictable conditions. Ogier's strategic recovery and relentless pursuit of victory, coupled with Toyota's robust machinery and collaborative efforts, proved to be a winning combination. The event also highlighted the rising talent of drivers like Solberg, who delivered a breakthrough performance to secure a significant championship title.

In a thrilling contest at the San Marino Grand Prix, Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi found himself in a fierce battle for supremacy with Ducati's Marc Marquez. Despite a strong start and fending off initial advances, Bezzecchi's pursuit of victory was ultimately thwarted by a critical misstep under the relentless pressure exerted by Marquez. This incident highlights the razor-thin margins that often define top-tier motorcycle racing, where even a momentary lapse can dramatically alter the outcome.

The race saw Marquez, starting from fourth, execute a brilliant launch, swiftly moving into second place. Bezzecchi, however, managed to maintain his lead, setting the stage for an intense duel. For the initial ten laps, the two riders remained in close contention, neither ceding ground. It was on the twelfth lap that the championship leader, Marquez, intensified his assault, pushing Bezzecchi to his limits.

Bezzecchi's crucial error occurred at Turn 8, where he ran wide, a consequence he later attributed to issues with braking on the medium compound tires. This misjudgment provided Marquez with the opening he needed, allowing him to seize the lead. Bezzecchi elaborated on his struggles, noting the difference in braking performance between the medium compound used in the main race and the soft rear tire that had served him well in Saturday's sprint. He candidly admitted that the bike's unpredictable movement forced him to release the front brake to avoid a lock-up, directly leading to Marquez's overtake.

Despite the setback, Bezzecchi showcased remarkable resilience, staying within striking distance of Marquez and even recording a series of fastest laps in a desperate bid to reclaim the lead. Nevertheless, Marquez, a six-time champion, ultimately held his ground, securing a hard-fought victory in what was one of the most closely contested races of 2025. Bezzecchi acknowledged Marquez's exceptional ability to maintain speed and control on worn tires, an area where the Ducati appeared to hold an advantage, especially in the latter stages of the race.

Reflecting on the race, Bezzecchi, who remains the sole non-Ducati rider to secure a dry-weather Grand Prix win this season (at the British Grand Prix in May), regarded his performance as one of the finest of his career, despite not achieving victory. He emphasized his competitiveness throughout the weekend, securing pole position and winning the sprint race. His close contest with Marquez, whom he recognized as the strongest rider on the grid currently, filled him with pride. He expressed his gratitude to the fans for their overwhelming support, hoping they enjoyed the thrilling spectacle.