Penalty chaos and punctures shake up Saudi standings as Sesks surges to overnight lead

On the day's final stage, the pendulum swung back to Fourmaux when Sesks collected a puncture, nursing his Ford Puma over the finish line.

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025 - 18:11

Martin Walsh

A day of drama in Rally Saudi Arabia didn't just end on the stages and led to Latvia's Martins Sesks (Ford Puma Rally1) heading the standings at the final overnight halt. Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai i20 Rally1) had finished SS14, the day's final stage, with a 2.4s lead over Sesks and 5.8s ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Rally1). However, the French ace and co-driver Alex Coria checked in a minute early to TC14A - the technical zone prior to overnight service - incurring a 60s penalty. The revised results promoted Sesks into a 3.4s lead over Neuville, Japan's Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) and his Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnston are third with Fourmaux demoted to fourth and 57.6s off top spot.

The battle for the WRC Drivers' title equally dramatic. Pre-event leader Elfyn Evans lost some at least 90s when he had to stop and change a punctured wheel on SS11, he finished the day in eighth - two places behind team mate Sebastien Ogier, who is chasing a record equalling ninth title - Evans is seeking a maiden title. Ogier also lost time with a puncture but is was close to the end on SS14 - costing him fifth place to another team mate Kalle Rovanpera, albeit by just 0.2s. On current WRC positions Ogier is a point ahead of Evans but with ten points available from tomorrow's final day and the Wolf Power Stage, it's far from over. The Irish crew of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1) are 11th overnight, their car stalled on SS10 and a puncture on SS14 prompted McErlean to quip, "It is super hard top avoid all stones."

Although Fourmaux retained his lead through the morning loop of three stages, Sesks trimmed his advantage to 2.9s. Then, on the afternoon's penultimate stage Sesks produced an inspired performance with an 8s stage win (over Neuville) to seize a 22.1s advantage over Fourmaux, who lost time with an overshoot.

On the day's final stage, the pendulum swung back to Fourmaux when Sesks collected a puncture, nursing his Ford Puma over the finish line. Ironically, Fourmaux's Hyundai also fell victim to the loose rocks and he finished the stage with a deflated tyre. Although the seemed enough for Fourmaux to regain top spot, the late arrival at a control changed the overnight positions. Elsewhere, Sami Pajari and Ott Tänak both stopped on SS13 to change punctured wheels.

During the day Neuville (second overnight) had to contend with a broken rear damper while Katsuta had issues with the intercom issue. The rally concludes tomorrow (Saturday) with a double run over Thabhan and one pass over Asfan, the longest stage of the rally at 33.28km. A total distance of 65.86km will decide the destiny of the WRC Driver's Championship as Sesks chases a maiden WR victory.

Rally Saudi Arabia (Round 14, World Rally Championship) Jeddah: 1. M. Sesks/R. Francis (Ford Puma Rally1) 2h. 43m. 20.1s; 2. T. Neuville/M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 Rally1)+3.4s; 3. T. Katsuta/A. Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+41.5s; 4. A. Fourmaux.A. Coria (Hyundai i20 N Rally)+57.6s; 5. K. Rovanpera/J. Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+1m. 12.6s; 6. S. Ogier/V. Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+1m. 12.8s; 7. S. Pajari/M. Salminen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+1m. 34.8s; 8. E. Evans/S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+3m. 52.6s; 9 G. Munster/L. Louka (Ford Puma Rally1)+6m. 13.4s; 10. O. Solberg/E. Edmondson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+7m. 26.7s; 11. J. McErlean/E. Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1)+7m. 38.4s.