Ogier eager to see what the Toyota is worth

Sébastien Ogier prepares for a new challenge. After losing the title last year to Ott Tänak, the six-time champion WRC will try to start its season with a new victory at the Rally Monte-Carlo, who has been undefeated in this event since 2014.

“This may be my 10th start here, but I have never experienced the same rally. It's always something unpredictable and difficult, assured the new recruit of Toyota. We are all looking forward to seeing these changes. It's a good thing for the discipline, whether for the public or for us. If the shakedown is not really representative, we could see the potential of the new car. We need time and testing to see where we stand and know our strengths and weaknesses. »

Sébastien Ogier will this time tackle this race in the Toyota Yaris WRC after having driven the Ford Fiesta WRC and the Citroën C3 WRC the previous two years.

“It’s one of my strengths (to adapt quickly to a new car) and I hope to take advantage of it again, added the Gapençais. But it's not like we can rewind and do things automatically. I want to do my best even if I need time to estimate our potential. The Monte-Carlo Rally is for me the event on the calendar that I most want to win. I say it every year, it's no surprise. »

Deprived of the number 1 given to the reigning world champion, Sébastien Ogier intends to recover this number at the end of the season. The Toyota driver selected for this year the number 17 which corresponds to his birthday and with which his father raced in autocross.