- Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
- Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
- Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
- Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
- INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
- Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
- Stocks falter tracking US, China policy updates
- Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
- After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
- France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
- Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
- China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
- Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
- Kagiyama leads Miura at NHK Trophy
- China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
- Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
- 'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
- Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
- Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
- First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
- China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
- Climate change poses multiple risks for banks
- Boxing club helps fight Greenland's suicide scourge
- Retired Olympian Daley dives into the spool with Tokyo knitwear show
- Japanese organ builder 'honoured' to restore voice of Notre Dame
- Sony quarterly net profit jumps but forecast unchanged
- Asian markets struggle to maintain momentum after Fed cut
- Fur flies as Russia takes on young fans of 'quadrobics'
- Pharrell Williams to bring star power to Web Summit tech event
- On Kinshasa's streets hairdressers make a quick buck
- Rauf takes five as Australia out for 163 in 2nd Pakistan ODI
- Harris thrusts himself into pole position in Australia 'bat-off'
- Trump makes first cabinet pick, eyes Putin talks
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure', sparks fire
- Jackson leads thrilling Ravens comeback over Bengals
- Why young men turned out in droves for Donald Trump
- China poised to approve more help for ailing economy
- Philippines cleans up after Typhoon Yinxing slams north coast
- Bucks snap losing streak with Jazz rout
- Quesada fears rustiness as Italy face Argentina in opening November Test
- Hard graft takes 140kg 'big sponge' Tatafu to France debut
- Asian markets extend rally after Fed cut
- 'Constant threat' Dupont back for France against Japan
- Bestaven in pursuit of sailing's 'holy grail' in Vendee Globe
- French monument Saint-Etienne eye success again under new ownership
- Bayern look to extend lead as Kompany makes his mark
- Sinner ATP Finals favourite after brilliant and controversial year
- Cracked earth in Greece's saffron heartland as drought takes toll
- Sacred cow: coal-hungry India eyes bioenergy to cut carbon
Rallying prepares for life with hybrids but without Ogier
For the first time since 2004, the World Rally Championship, which celebrates its 50th anniversary by introducing hybrid cars, will have neither of the great French Sebastiens fighting for the title.
The season that opens in Monte Carlo this week will be different.
For 17 of the last 18 seasons, the WRC champion has been won by either Sebastien Loeb, with nine titles straight from 2004 to 2012, or his protege Sebastien Ogier with eight titles in nine years.
The only non-French, non-Sebastien to triumph in that time was the Estonian Ott Tanak in 2019 when Ogier had a disappointing return to Toyota and could only finish third.
Both Sebastiens will race in 2022, including the opener in Monte Carlo, but not for the full season, leaving the title open.
"I'm at the beginning of a different stage in my career, and as I'm not taking part in the full championship the feeling is a little bit different to usual for me at this time of the year," said 38-year-old Ogier.
Even though Ogier is only racing part time he promises he will not make it easy for those who want his crown.
"I'm still a competitor and I still want to win, so I will be giving my best to perform," he said.
The Frenchman will have a new co-driver this season in Benjamin Veillas, who replaces Julien Ingrassia, retired after sitting by Ogier's side since 2005
The season of 13 rounds on four continents marks a step into the unknown for the teams as they switch to hybrid cars.
The cars, WRC said, will be "plug-in hybrid-powered" and use "100 per cent fossil-free fuel and sustainable energy supplies".
International automobile federation President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a former WRC competitor himself, called it "a very proud and significant moment".
The chassis specifications have also been changed so cars must be built round an "upgraded safety cell".
- 'Exciting era' -
The destination of the title may depend less on the drivers this year and more on how quickly the teams can bed in their cars.
"Rallying is entering a very new era and it's a very exciting moment," said Toyota's team principal Jari-Matti Latvala
"There are a lot of question marks and Rally Monte-Carlo will be giving us some of the answers.
"As a team we have been working very hard to be ready, but nobody can know how the different cars compare against each other until we get to the first rally."
Once again the elite competition has teams from three manufacturers: reigning champions Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai Motorsport and M-Sport Ford.
The three leading contenders for the driver's title would appear to be Tanak, his Hyundai teammate - and serial runner-up - Belgian Thierry Neuville, and Toyota's Welsh hope Elfyn Evans, who took Ogier to the last race in the last two seasons. Irishman Craig Breen will lead M-Sport with Loeb making cameos.
The absence of Ogier will not make the contest any easier said Neuville, second in the title race in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
"Ogier going doesn't change anything," Neuville told the Dirtfish rallying web site.
"If it's not Ogier, it will be Elfyn or whoever or Tanak. The challenge remains the same.
"It was pretty close between Elfyn and Ogier (last season) and it was very close the year before as well. We will not lose any animation of the championship with or without Ogier."
Schedule
Jan 20-23 - Monte Carlo
Feb 24-27 - Sweden
April 21-24 - Croatia
May 19-22 - Portugal
June 2-5 - Sardinia
June 23-26 - Safari Rally, Kenya
July 14-17 - Estonia
August 4-7 - Finland
August 18-21 - TBC
September 8-11 - Acropolis Rally, Greece
September 29-October 2 - New Zealand
October 20-23 - Catalunya
November 10-13 - Japan
T.Bondarenko--BTB