Le Mans – Sébastien Ogier at Le Mans with Audi

We are able to announce it after an indiscretion collected during our visit to the new premises of the sports branch of the Ingolstadt manufacturer, in Neuburg (Germany). Seen in deep discussion with Chris Reinke, the director of the LM P1 program for the brand with the four rings, the Haut-Alpin was obviously not just there on a courtesy visit since we later learned that he had carried out a tub molding.

Assailed by our questions, Sébastien Ogier ended up blurting out: “It’s true, I’m going to realize my dream of participating in this prestigious race, starting this year! The synergy of the VAG group allows it and, above all, my lead in the world championship allows me without too much problem to skip a round..." Let us remember that, this year, the Rally of Italy is held on the same dates (June 12 to 14) as the 24 Hours, where Ogier already has a 34-point lead (more than one victory) over his closest pursuer, his teammate Andreas Mikkelsen, after only three tests. The Frenchman is expected to team up with René Rast, with whom he spoke at length in Neuburg, and Marco Bonanomi in the third R18 e-tron quattro, with Filipe Albuquerque relegated to the role of reserve driver. For Audi Sport, this risky sporting choice should be largely compensated by an unprecedented media attraction, which cannot displease the ACO.

The Gapençais had never hidden his attraction to circuit events: he has already tried it many times over the last four years, with participations in FFSAGT on Ferrari F430, in Porsche Supercup but also in ADAC GT Masters, already with Audi, last year. With Markus Winkelhock, he finished 8th at the Lausitzring in an R8 LMS ultra. On the other hand, as a beginner at Le Mans, he will absolutely have to go through the Test Day on May 30-31 which, fortunately, does not compete with a round of the WRC. It’s up to him, then, to do better than Sébastien Loeb, the last world rally champion to be on the podium (2nd in 2006 on Pescarolo C60-Judd) of the Le Mans classic.