Ogier derails title tilt in wild crash at Central European Rally

Aiming for a record equalling ninth World Rally crown Sebastien Ogier derailed his title tilt on Saturday when he crashed on rain-slicked roads at the Central European Rally.

Ogier had been chasing his Toyota stablemate Kalle Rovanpera, trailing by less than a second when his Yaris spun out of control, with the former two-time world champion from Finland now leading by a whopping 38.4sec.

"But it's not possible!" shouted the frustrated Frenchman, 41, before asking his co-driver, Vincent Landais: "Did we have a puncture or what?"

The crash paves the way for Welsh driver Elfyn Evans, currently in second, to take over the championship lead Sunday with two rallies remaining in Japan and Saudi Arabia in November.

Ogier crashed after skidding round a leafy corner, sending his car head-over-heels into a tree and losing a front wheel.

The French driver, who last won the world title in 2021, will nevertheless be able to take part in Sunday's power stage.

In the race for the 2025 title Ogier has 224 points, Evans 222 and Rovanpera 203, with 25 points per Rally plus five for the power stages.