WRC
Ogier’s WRC title quest “completely on” despite CER setback
Sebastien Ogier may have lost his grip on the lead of the FIA World Rally Championship, but the quest for a record-equalling ninth world title is still “completely on”, according to the Toyota driver.
Ogier headed into Central European Rally with a two-point lead over Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans after a 100 per cent perfect run of podium finishes from his eight starts, headlined by five victories.
Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais were on course to extend their podium streak in Central Europe having led the rally through Thursday and Friday. However, a tyre deflation triggered a crash into a tree in stage 10, forcing a first retirement of the year.
Toyota team-mate Kalle Rovanpera went on to take his third win of the season from Evans, who regained the championship lead. Ogier, however, bounced back from his stage 10 exit by delivering a perfect Sunday to secure the maximum 10 Super Sunday points and head into next month’s FORUM8 Rally Japan tied with Rovanpera, 13 points adrift of Evans.
© Red Bull Content Pool
“It [the title battle] is completely on. I think we still have it in our own hands so that is the most important thing," said Ogier.
“It is definitely still doable and of course we would have preferred to leave here with a lead and an increased lead, but it went in the other direction. I think for the championship, a lot of fans will be happy to have this intense season.
“For sure, the Sunday was fun we had good pace and had good fun in the car. It was nice and consistent and it has been enjoyable to drive. Of course, it was not the position we wanted to be but it is part pf the game in motorsport, sometimes you have to deal with things that are not in your control.”
Although the Central European Rally didn’t deliver the result Ogier was searching for, his Toyota team did secure the WRC manufacturers’ crown with two rounds to spare. The success is Toyota’s fifth consecutive constructors' title and ninth overall, leaving the carmaker only one behind the WRC’s most successful marque, Lancia.
Ogier’s 19 victories driving for Toyota have also helped the manufacturer reach 104 WRC rally wins, surpassing the most wins record previously held by Citroën.
"We can be proud of this achievement for this team. Five in a row is quite something and we have beaten the record for most wins in the championship recently. I think we should be in a good way to raise the bar as high as possible,” Ogier added.
