The eight-time world champion, who rode carefully on Sunday not to waste his lead of 35 seconds, still won the final stage, the Power Stage, adding five more points to the 25 of the victory, which allows him to take the lead of the world championship.
Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) finished second, just two hundredths behind the winner, ahead of Britain's Elfyn Evans, who brought a second Toyota to the podium after a mano a mano that lasted the entire last day of the Mexican event, back after two years off due to Covid-19.
Reigning world champion, Finland's Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) is in 4th position at 1 min 55 sec 3/100.
Ogier, back after missing Rally Sweden a month ago, benefited from the mechanical setbacks of WRC World Championship leader Estonian Ott Tänak (M-Sport Ford), ninth, and above all from a spectacular, fortunately minor accident that knocked Finn Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai) out of action as he was leading the 15th stage on Saturday.
Next stop on the WRC calendar: Rally Croatia from 20 to 23 April on asphalt roads known to be narrow and bumpy.
© 2023 AFP