Ogier returns to Citroën in 2019

In accordance with what we announced to you in issue 2184 of AUTOhebdo (on sale at newsstands and in digital version), Sébastien Ogier will reunite with his first love during the 2019 World Rally Championship season (WRC). The Frenchman will wear the colors of Citroën Racing from thee Monte-Carlo Rally (January 22-27).

“I am particularly enthusiastic about the idea of ​​tackling this new challenge with Citroën, I can’t wait even, underlines the five-time reigning champion. Especially since I never forgot that it was the team that gave me the chance to reach the world championship.

Several elements counted in my choice: I find very nice the idea of ​​meeting people with whom I worked quite well a few years ago now, I am also excited by the prospect of taking on the challenge of trying to be world champion with a third different manufacturer. And if it is not a foregone conclusion, I have both the conviction that the car has certain potential, and great confidence in the people at Satory. »

In the running for a sixth consecutive world crown, Sébastien Ogier began his WRC career with the help of the French manufacturer. Supported by the French team of the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA), he competed in and won the Junior WRC without a shot aboard a Citroën C2 S1600 in 2008.

Promoted to the higher category from Rally of Great Britain 2008, the Gapençais will obtain his first laurels in 2010 within the Junior Team of the Chevrons brand. From Portugal in spring 2010 in Alsace in the fall of 2011, he won seven events alongside Julien Ingrassia.

It was precisely in 2011 that the relationship with the French brand will break down. In the running for what could be his first Drivers' title, Sébastien Ogier is engaged in an internal battle with his teammate and multiple champion Sébastien Loeb. The management of Citroën Racing then ended up deciding in favor of the more experienced of the two Sébastien.

Sébastien Loeb will be titled, while Sébastien Ogier, once back to three points behind his compatriot, finished the season in third place. Disappointed with these team instructions, Sébastien Ogier decided to try the Volkswagen bet, with the success that we know (four titles from 2013 to 2016). Following the unexpected withdrawal of the German manufacturer, the wearer of No. 1 turned to M-Sport to win a fifth crown in 2017.