The dirt roads of the Sierra de Guanajuato were the scene of seven of the nine stages of the third day.
Ogier took the lead by winning the eleventh stage in which Lappi was forced to retire after hitting a pole on the side of the road.
The violent incident of the Finn, fortunately unharmed as well as his co-driver Janne Ferm, also led to the cancellation of the 15th stage on this same section, due to lack of time to clear and prepare the road.
As a result, Lappi lost hopes of victories glimpsed on Friday.
"He was doing a good job, he was super fast yesterday, he had incredible speed. It's a shame, the battle was magnificent," said the eight-time world rally champion, who then adopted a more cautious driving. "Controlling the speed here is not easy, the grip changes all the time," Ogier explained.
His attitude made it easier for Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) to win four stages.
Championship leader, Estonian Ott Tänak (M-Sport Ford), well behind for the final victory since a mechanical problem on Friday, won the last two stages of the day.
In the overall standings, Ogier is 35 seconds ahead of Britain's Elfyn Evans (Toyota) and 40 seconds ahead of Neuville.
Belgian driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) during Rally Mexico, the third round of the WRC World Rally Championship season, in Silao, Guanajuato state, March 18, 2023 © ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP
Defending champion, Finland's Kalle Rovanperä is in 4th position at one minute 34 seconds.
If he maintains his lead until the end on Sunday, Ogier would win Rally Mexico for the seventh time and thus become the biggest winner in the event's history, ahead of compatriot Sebastien Loeb, who has triumphed six times.
Rally Mexico consists of 23 special stages for a total of 320.23 timed kilometers. On Sunday, 61.37 kilometers will be covered in the last four stages, including the Power Stage.
. Standings of Rally Mexico, third round of the WRC World Championship at the end of the third day on Saturday:
1. Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (FRA/FRA) Toyota 2h35:37.6
2. Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (GBR/GBR) Toyota at 35.8 seconds
3. Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL/BEL) Hyundai 40.1
4. Kalle Rovanperä - Jonne Halttunen (FIN/FIN) Toyota 1:34.0
5. Dani Sordo/Candido Carrera (ESP/ESP) Hyundai 2:21.2
Winners of special events:
Esapekka Lappi (ES3, ES5, ES6, ES8, ES9), Sébastien Ogier (ES4, ES7, ES11, ES16), Dani Sordo (ES10), Ott Tanak (ES1, ES2, ES18, ES19), Thierry Neuville (ES12, ES13, ES14, ES17)
NB: SS15 cancelled
Main dropouts:
Esapekka Lappi (FIN/Hyundai), Pierre-Louis Loubet (FRA/Ford)
© 2023 AFP