Sébastien Ogier apologizes to FIA and Paraguay presidents

Sébastien Ogier has issued a public apology to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña following an “out of line interaction” during the Rally Paraguay.

The incident occurred as Ogier expressed frustration regarding the World Rally Championship (WRC) and the performance of tyre manufacturer Hankook. After experiencing multiple punctures and eventually retiring from the rally due to suspension damage, Ogier had criticized the tyres, stating they were “not the standard for a world championship” and describing the situation as “far from acceptable.”

In a social media statement, Ogier acknowledged that his timing and tone were inappropriate for raising these concerns. He confirmed that he apologized to both leaders in person on Saturday night and subsequently held a “constructive meeting” with Ben Sulayem to discuss areas within the WRC that require attention.