Sébastien Ogier’s first laps with the Toyota Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

Sébastien Ogier should have ridden with the Japanese a few weeks ago near Gap (05), but an accident by Elfyn Evans had delayed this first contact. There was therefore a certain impatience among the Haut-Alpin when settling into the passenger compartment of this Yaris Hybrid.

« I always enjoy discovering new things », souriait-il avant d’entamer plusieurs heures de test. Tout ne s’est pas parfaitement déroulé durant la journée, l’équipe a dû procéder à des changements de pièces et à des réparations, mais cela n’a pas empêché le pilote Toyota de se faire une première idée sur le comportement et le potentiel de cette machine qu’il devrait utiliser en janvier (20-23) au cours du Monte-Carlo.

On a road which serves as a special stage for rallies in the Alpes-Maritimes, but which is also often used by teams for testing, Ogier quickly took stock of the car and the modifications that the next regulations will impose. His assessment when returning to his hotel was positive, even if he had been bothered by a driving position that could still be improved.

Learning about the hybrid that Seb really appreciated, “ It's nice when we have the boost, it starts to push hard! » will continue in the coming days since the eight-time champion and his new co-driver Benjamin Veillas have two additional days of testing. The team's three other crews lined up for Monte-Carlo will also take turns to prepare for the first event of 2022.