Ogier crash gifts Mikkelsen maiden win
Norwegian takes Spain victory after last stage drama
Ogier: "I played and I lost."
Sébastien Ogier has accepted full responsibility for the shocking crash that cost him victory at RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada on Sunday and says he was pushing hard on the final stage for the fun of it.
The Frenchman had a comfortable 50sec lead going into the final 12km stage but stopped 4km from the end, slamming his Volkswagen Polo R into a metal barrier and losing a wheel.
"I had nothing to prove, there is no need for that any more, but for sure I'm a competitor and I always want to give my best. Somehow it wasn't the most exciting rally, and since Saturday midday when I had a good lead I'd backed off a bit and just controlled the event. In this moment I wanted to have fun and give a push to finish the race," said Ogier, who hit trouble in a long, tightening left hander.
"I corrected my notes on the first loop because the exit of the corner was faster than I thought. So I changed my note a little bit higher. the problem is that only the exit of the corner was faster - the entrance was not. I entered a little bit fast, not much, maybe 10cm too wide, then I pushed into the barrier and a pole stopped us and removed a wheel. That was game over."
Ogier was airlifted to hospital for checks but was given the all-clear. "I'm feeling good, completely okay, just a bit shaken. And Julien is okay as well. That's the most important thing in this case." he said.
"I played and I lost, I would say. Now I just have to accept the consequences. A stupid mistake for sure but it's not the end of the world. We are safe and we did not cost the team too much. I'm sorry, but at least with both my colleagues first and second it's still a strong result for the team."
