Sébastien Ogier crashes out of Rally Finland lead, escapes serious injury in violent rollover
The nine-time world champion lost control on a left-hand corner 800 metres from the finish of stage 17, sending his Toyota Yaris into multiple rolls. Both Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia walked away and were taken to hospital for checks.
The crash
Sébastien Ogier, the nine-time world rally champion, was leading Rally Finland after 16 special stages on Saturday 1 August. He had been in front since the second stage of the event, the tenth round of the World Rally Championship. On the 17th stage, Västilä (19.1 km), he lost control of his Toyota Yaris Rally1 at the exit of a left-hand corner roughly 800 metres from the finish. The car left the road at full speed and rolled multiple times through the forest. The stage, the penultimate of the day, was immediately red-flagged and stopped. Ogier had been on course for a third victory of the 2026 season.
The driver and co-driver were both able to exit the car without assistance. They are conscious and overall OK, and will be taken to hospital for further checks.
Medical response
The FIA confirmed that Ogier would be transported by helicopter and co-driver Julien Ingrassia by ambulance to hospital. Henri Haapamäki, a former driver and expert for Finnish broadcaster Yle, said two helicopters were deployed and described the situation as "quite critical", but confirmed that Ogier was conscious and communicating. Toyota's statement said both were in good overall condition and further updates would follow.
Sébastien Ogier is conscious and communicating.
Rally standings
The crash handed the lead to Ogier's Toyota teammate Sami Pajari, a Finnish driver competing on home soil. Pajari moved into first place before the final Saturday stage, ES18. Earlier in the day, another Toyota driver, Elfyn Evans, also suffered a violent off-road incident, though he was not reported injured. The rally continued with Pajari at the top of the leaderboard.
- Ogier leads after 16 stages, on course for third win of 2026 season.
- Ogier loses control at left-hand corner 800m from finish, car rolls multiple times, stage red-flagged.
- Ogier and Ingrassia exit unaided, conscious; ambulance and helicopters dispatched.
- Ogier flown by helicopter, Ingrassia by ambulance to hospital for checks.
- Sami Pajari inherits rally lead before final Saturday stage.
- Elfyn Evans also crashes earlier in the day, no injuries reported.
A brief reunion cut short
Ogier and Ingrassia were competing together for the first time in nearly five years. Ingrassia, who co-drove Ogier to all nine of his world titles, retired after the 2021 season. He agreed to return for this single event because Vincent Landais, Ogier's regular co-driver, was absent for personal reasons. The reunion ended with the crash on stage 17.
Championship picture
Ogier's exit removes a leading contender from the rally. He had been leading and was on course for a third win of the 2026 WRC season. The incident also marks the second Toyota crash of the day after Evans's earlier accident. The team has not yet indicated whether Ogier will be fit for the next round.
