Ogier Shines, Rovanpera Admits Superiority in Paraguay

WRC, Sportrik Media - Sebastien Ogier continues to dominate at the Paraguay Rally, setting the fastest time in SS13 and securing second place overall. Meanwhile, rally leader Kalle Rovanpera openly acknowledges his struggle to match his Toyota teammate’s pace.

Ogier’s Mastery at Carmen del Parana

In the second run of Carmen del Parana (SS13), Ogier clocked the fastest time, beating Rovanpera by 2.8 seconds. This performance propelled the French driver to second place overall, trailing Rovanpera by 14.4 seconds. Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux holds third, 6.8 seconds behind Ogier.

Chasing his ninth world title, Ogier noted the challenging conditions. “I made a small mistake early on. It wasn’t easy, as grip was very low at times,” he said. Nevertheless, his superior tire management and speed kept him ahead of the pack.

Rovanpera, despite leading, admitted his struggles. “Seb has been phenomenal. I can’t match him. My tires wear out quickly, but Seb’s tires are always in good shape. He’s the fastest driver this weekend,” Rovanpera remarked candidly.

Behind the Toyota duo, the fight for fourth to sixth places is intense. Elfyn Evans (Toyota) sits in fourth, followed closely by Hyundai’s Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville, with gaps of just 5 seconds and 0.2 seconds, respectively. Indonesian driver Sami Pajari (Toyota) is seventh, over three minutes off the lead.

In the WRC2 class, Nikolai Grjazin (Skoda) leads by 5 seconds over Robert Virves (Skoda), with the competition remaining fierce as Saturday’s final stages approach.

Technical Challenges and Tire Strategy

The Paraguay Rally’s variable grip conditions have tested drivers’ skills. Fourmaux echoed the sentiment, saying, “I really struggled with grip. Seb has driven exceptionally well, and I’m pushing hard to keep up.” Tire management has proven critical, with Ogier’s strategy giving him a clear edge.

With several key stages remaining, including the Power Stage on Sunday, the rally promises more intense battles. The challenging terrain and tight schedule will demand precision and consistency.

With two stages left on Saturday and four on Sunday, including the Mision Jesuitica Trinidad 2 Power Stage, the rally remains wide open. Ogier has a chance to close the gap to Rovanpera, while Fourmaux and Tanak aim to break into the top three. For Pajari, holding seventh is a realistic goal in his debut.

Sportrik’s in-depth analysis highlights Ogier’s experience in managing pressure and track conditions, making him a formidable contender. The Paraguay Rally 2025 is shaping up as a thrilling Toyota-Hyundai duel, with Ogier poised to add to his illustrious record.