Listen & read
Sébastien Ogier launches a harsh criticism at Hankook following his puncture in the Rally de Portugal, where he lost what was already a secured victory. This reveals the tension between drivers and tire suppliers in the WRC.
Ogier, a nine-time world champion, doesn't hold back. Four days after the event, he responds on X (formerly Twitter) to a post from Hankook, the tire supplier for the WRC, praising the performance of their products on tough terrain. Ogier, after losing victory due to a puncture in the decisive stage, sarcastically comments, "I hope this is a joke."
In the Rally de Portugal, Ogier was leading by 17.3 seconds when he encountered the setback that forced him to change a tire, costing him over two minutes. He finished in sixth place, 1 minute and 26 seconds behind the winner, Thierry Neuville, who secured his first victory with Hyundai in 2026. Although Ogier competes part-time and isn't chasing the championship, this result frustrates his aim to add victories in the events he participates in. Ogier's criticism of Hankook tires adds to his history of complaints towards suppliers, marking a clear discontent in the WRC paddock.
Comments (0)