Sébastien Ogier almost perfect

A Monte-Carlo Rally is won on consistency... Sébastien Ogier showed it last season by being the most consistent to achieve victory. This year, the “Peugeot – Citroën” driver was the best performer… without finishing.

Published on 23/01/2010 à 11:25

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Departing from Valencia, Sébastien Ogier had the formidable task of “defending” his title. A first best time in the first loop allowed him to move into second place in the general classification behind Mikko Hirvonen.

But his rally switched in the second passage in Burzet – Lachamp Raphael (SS3). Trapped by snow placed on the trajectory by spectators, Sébastien Ogier lost two minutes and did not mince his words in front of the Eurosport 2 cameras: “I slipped in slow motion on snow thrown by shitty spectators! I landed at 30 km/h and got stuck. Without that, would I be ahead? »

The rest is a long comeback with six best times achieved in nine special stages to return to second place, 46 seconds behind Hirvonen before the last loop? until its Peugeot 207 Super 2000 never stops.

“We broke the alternator,” Sébastien recounted. “It was impossible to continue. I'm disappointed not to have been able to finish but we proved that the Peugeot 207 Super 2000 was a very competitive car. We had a bit of bad luck but we can make a positive assessment of this ordeal. »

Sébastien Ogier will participate in the World Rally Championship this season at the wheel of a C4 WRC of the Citroën Junior Team. His teammate will be Kimi Räikkönen.