Sébastien Ogier returns to the Canary Islands: a controlled comeback and the challenge of a flawless asphalt surface

Absent for the last leg in Croatia, Sébastien Ogier He returns to the wheel in a very different context, after a particularly intense period in the calendar. He returns to the Rally from the Canary Islands, where he finished in second position last year, and where he clearly wants to do better for this edition.

The Frenchman does not hide the fact that this break came at the right time, as the two previous rallies were very trying for the crews. “Yes, it’s true that the last two rallies have been very… let’s say, a lot has happened. And in Kenya, we could have expected that given how difficult the rally was, but Croatia wasn’t really any easier, it was even crazier. So I was almost even happier to be at home at that point, but now I’m happy to be back on a good tarmac rally, where the conditions should remain much more consistent for everyone, and for us too, that’s a good thing.”

This return to asphalt, in conditions that are more predictable on paper, should allow him to quickly regain his rhythm, without the adaptation phase often necessary after a break. While the Canary Islands roads suggest a "circuit" profile, Ogier emphasizes the actual complexity of the track. The apparent fluidity masks a high level of demand, particularly in managing racing lines and tires.

Favorable conditions

“There are some very smooth asphalt roads, a bit like a racetrack, and of course also very winding ones. There are quite a few sections that are very demanding on the tires. I think we know some parts, but there are also a lot of new stages this year. So I think it will be a difficult rally. It's never easy, even if it's smooth and fairly consistent. It's not easy driving on the edge between the rocks and the barriers.” In this context, the slightest error can be costly. The lack of clearance zones and the high speed demand constant precision, where every note must be executed perfectly.

One of the main challenges of the weekend remains the weather, which is often unstable on this island event. Even on asphalt that is considered clean, conditions can change very quickly, especially at altitude. “On an island, things change very quickly. So we always see some clouds, and we have to drive through areas of fog when we enter those cloud layers, and sometimes that brings moisture to the road, sometimes not. So yes, that’s one of the difficult issues we have to solve here. But there’s also, as I said, the fact of driving on the edge between these difficult elements. There’s no room for error. So the pace notes have to be very precise.” This variability requires a careful reading of the conditions and an immediate capacity for adaptation, particularly in strategic choices.

"I think we should have a good duel."

Despite the good feelings and competitiveness of the Toyota On this type of terrain, Ogier remains cautious about the expected hierarchy. He points out that the competition remains fierce, with drivers capable of performing quickly, notably Kalle Rovanperä. “We saw last year that he was really fast, capable of outperforming everyone else. So he’s not here, and that’s good news for us, but there are other drivers, and Oliver [Solberg] seems to have already figured out how to be fast on any surface with this car. So I think we should have a good battle.” In a homogeneous field, the slightest variation in performance can reshuffle the cards, especially in a rally where the gaps are traditionally very close.

Finally, Ogier emphasizes the continuity of work within Toyota, even after strong results on tarmac. Development remains central to performance, with no room for complacency. “We need to have a good setup on asphalt. That’s not really a secret. I think we’re all pretty happy with the car, and the team keeps pushing at every test to develop it, and that’s always key in motorsport. Even when we’re successful, we have to keep working; there’s no time to relax.”

Third in the shakedown, Ogier thus starts his weekend on solid footing, but with an approach true to his experience: efficiency, precision, and vigilance. On a rally where everything hinges on the smallest details, his return could quickly prove decisive in the battle at the front.

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