The feat of Sébastien Loeb and Miki Biasion which could decide Sébastien Ogier to aim for the title in 2023

The feat caused a stir. The victory of Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais (Toyota) during the Rally of Mexico 2023, combined with the best time during the Power Stage, allowed them to take the lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Seeing the eight-time champion of the discipline flanked by number 1 is not surprising given his XXL track record.

ALSO READ > Sébastien Ogier, record holder for victories in Mexico: “We did it flawlessly”

However, what stands out in the world of rallying is to see the French tandem so well placed... even though they did not take part in the previous round, the Rally of Sweden, unlike Thierry Neuville (Hyundai, 2nd with 53 pts) or Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota, 3rd with 52 pts)!

As soon as the Gapence driver and the Meurthe co-driver passed the timing cell for the last special, Sébastien Ogier dropped bad news for his rivals. Yes, he will be back at the Croatia Rally, the next event on the calendar (April 20-23)! A competition that he had already won in 2021 during his appearance in the WRC.

From then on, a question arises: piqued by the stakes of a hypothetical ninth coronation, does Sébastien Ogier intend to take part in all the remaining rallies to be contested in 2023?

V. Landais and S. Ogier seem unbeatable. © Nikos Katikis / DPPI

The former Citroën, Volkswagen and M-Sport Ford in WRC has always been deliberately evasive on the exact number of rallies planned with Toyota Gazoo Racing this year. We're talking about seven, maybe eight meetings. But the Frenchman refuses to specify his plans, for the simple reason that nothing is set in stone.

The Monte-Carlo was obvious given the prestige and pleasure that Sébastien Ogier feels in the winter event (9th Monte-Carlo won in 2023, record). Mexico was also a field in which he excelled (he scored a seventh success there in 2023, a new record ahead of Sébastien Loeb). As a result, we can legitimately think that Sébastien Ogier chooses his travels based on what he likes. Croatia ? He likes asphalt, it's as simple as that.

As such, the new Central European Rally (on tarmac) and the Rally of Japan (also tarmac) are possibly checked off the Habs' agenda. These are the last two rounds of the calendar scheduled for this fall.

Let's not forget that Sébastien Ogier is no longer that long-toothed twenty-something, ready to make his opponents bite the dust in order to prove that he is one of the greatest rally drivers in history. His CV is already as long as an arm and he has nothing more to demonstrate.

The 2023 version of Sébastien Ogier is measured, he relishes life as a father and does not intend to move away from his loved ones to put on a helmet several weekends per month.

Moreover, the driver explained at the end of the 2022 season the importance of maintaining a balance between private life and a passion for rallying. “I won't say I'll never get back to 100% and compete full-time again, but for now you know that's the same thing I've been saying for a long time. I love my family and my son and want to spend time with them. »

The prospect of seeing Sébastien Ogier play the entirety of the current season is therefore more than illusory. On the other hand, his rally choices have not yet all been decided. And even if he were content to participate in seven-eight rounds out of a total of 13 meetings, he could still hope to become champion!

This might surprise new rally enthusiasts, but such a feat has already occurred in WRC history. In 2006, Sébastien Loeb (Citroën), injured after a nasty motorcycle fall on September 26, had to miss the final four rallies. Which did not prevent him from remaining at the head of the championship until the end, thanks to Marcus Grönholm (Ford) who tripped up all alone in Australia.

In 1988, Miki Biasion (Lancia) did even better. The Italian only took part in seven events (out of a total of 13), finished six, including five on the highest step of the podium (+ a 2nd place) and largely beat his teammate Markku Alén to win his first title in the World Rally Championship! However, it should be noted that at that time, no World Championship driver competed in the entire calendar.

These two examples give hope to Sébastien Ogier fans. But the conditions to be met are multiple. First of all, the Toyota driver must not experience failure in the rallies to be contested in 2023. A retirement or a bad result in Croatia would immediately undermine this scenario.

In addition, Sébastien Ogier should also rely on adversity like never before to prevent a driver such as Kalle Rovanperä from racing against the competition and gaining twenty or even thirty points on each rally not contested by Ogier.

The scenario of a season dominated by Rovanperä, as in 2022, would nullify Ogier's title chances. On the other hand, a Ott Tänak confident at M-Sport Ford, a combative Thierry Neuville at Hyundai, a Craig Breen who rediscovers his joy of driving at Hyundai and a mentally liberated Elfyn Evans would be so many stones in the boots of the Finnish prodigy. And so many indirect advantages for Sébastien Ogier.

Ott Tänak lived up to his 2019 champion status by winning the 2023 Rally Sweden. © Nikos Katikis / DPPI

In short, it is impossible today to say that Sébastien Ogier has set out to aim for the 2023 WRC crown. On the other hand, several milestones have been laid so that this beautiful story can be written. But does Sébastien Ogier really want her? His passion for rallying has gone beyond the numbers for a long time. In any case, he has the answer.