Ogier to make WRC return in Canary Islands as Toyota increases its roster

Sebastien Ogier will contest the Rally Islas Canarias next month as Toyota will field five cars at the next round of the 2025 World Rally Championship season.

The eight-time world champion is undertaking a partial campaign and the Spanish asphalt rally will be his second start of the year in what is the event’s WRC debut.

Ogier’s inclusion on an entry list featuring 10 Rally1 crews will see the Frenchman join Toyota team-mates Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanpera, Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari.

The 41-year-old is fourth in the championship despite skipping the last two rounds in Sweden and Kenya, as he won the Monte Carlo opener in January - his record-extending 10th win of the event. 

Unlike last year when Ogier started 10 rounds, he has already outlined that he will contest fewer events this season now Toyota is fielding four full-time drivers in 2025. Ogier’s itinerary for the remaining rounds is yet to be disclosed. 

The Canary Islands round will offer teams the first real opportunity to compete on Hankook’s asphalt tyres in completely dry conditions.

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

It will also mark the first chance for drivers to run the new TotalEnergies-supplied fuel as the French brand takes over from P1 Racing Fuels after the latter went into administration.    

As preparation for the event, Toyota and Hyundai have entered cars in this weekend’s opening round of the European Rally Championship at Rally Sierra Morena, held on similar Spanish asphalt.

WRC leader Evans will pilot a GR Yaris while reigning world champion Thierry Neuville will represent Hyundai.

Rally Islas Canarias, held from 24-27 April, will feature 18 stages comprising an overall competitive distance of 301.30 kilometres and was previously a longstanding round of the ERC.