Ogier: “I’m not ready to take all the risks”

You are no longer used to being heckled by your teammates. How do you experience it?

Good, because once again, I am much more calm about many things today. It sure makes me want to find answers and do a little better, but it’s a lot of risk-taking that prevails in Poland. However, it has never been my favorite asset to take excessively, even more so after becoming a father. Maybe I'm thinking a little more... I'm not saying that I've never taken risks, and I always take them, but it's certain that there are times when I'm not not ready to take all the risks.

As you wonder about your future, do your current difficulties tend to tire you out or rather increase your motivation tenfold?

I don't need to prove anything anymore. Everyone knows that it is not by chance that I became world champion (four times. Editor’s note). The detractors obviously agree that we had the best car, the best everything, but I always take that as a compliment. Because this team, Volkswagen, we built it together, and we had indeed succeeded in building an unbeatable machine...

Are you now the only two contenders for the title?

Let's say that with five rallies remaining, something really would have to happen to Thierry and me for Jari-Matti (Latvala. Editor's note) and Ott (Thank you) have a real chance. But you shouldn't bury them too quickly anyway. In the immediate future, I will especially enjoy my vacation to disconnect, and come back with my batteries recharged. And you can be sure that I won't give up...

Discover the full interview with Sébastien Ogier and analysis of Rally from Poland carried out by our special correspondent in issue 2121 of AUTOweekly, available now in digital version on all platforms and on kiosks.