A mistake-free Sunday should see the Ford star defy Hyundai rival Thierry Neuville and secure the World Rally Championship at Coffs Harbour's Rally Australia.

He sits one minute 40 seconds behind leader Ott Tanak but importantly 58.2 seconds clear of Neuville, who is only three points adrift in the tightest championship finale in 15 years.

Toyota's Tanak surged ahead on Saturday, but is 23 points back and like Neuville needs Ogier to slip up if he is to pinch an unlikely maiden world title.

Makinen won the last of his four consecutive titles in 1999, and is now engineering Ogier's demise as Toyota's team boss.

But the Finnish great isn't sure it will happen any time soon, despite Toyota making great leaps this year to be on the cusp of a first manufacturers' title since 1999.

"I couldn't bet on it, he's so strong," Makinen told AAP.

"Loeb was absolutely brilliant - nine years, nine titles - but Ogier's clever enough to understand the car, how it needs to be driven."

Ogier isn't even the best rally driver named Sebastien from France - namesake Sebastien Loeb won nine straight titles before Ogier began his run in 2013.

Makinen says the 34-year-old is one of the greats, though, and expects Ogier to remain at the top of his field when he switches to Citroen next year.

"Every car has its own nature, its own soul and how it wants to go faster, and he understands this very quickly," Makinen said.

"In rally there are so many different moving elements - you have to be flexible.

"Ott can challenge him, but he (Ogier) still has many, many years in him."

About 84km of timed stages remain on Sunday's final day, including a 7km power stage that carries an extra five bonus points for the fastest driver.

Rally Australia Standings

1. Ott Tanak (Toyota) 2:04:59.2

2. Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) +9.7

3. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) +20.3

6. Sebastien Ogier (Ford) +1:40.9

8. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) +2:39.1

Australian Associated Press