Ogier: “I think I did my best throughout the season”

This time, French domination of the World Rally Championship has truly come to an end. Beaten by Ott Tänak (Toyota), Sébastien Ogier (Citroen) However, he was unable to really defend his chances, cut off in his momentum by the mechanics from the start of the Rally of Catalonia.

Victim of a hose problem, the Frenchman quickly understood that the matter was over for the 2019 title. “What was difficult to take on Friday was above all not being able to fight because we were stopped in our tracks from the start of the rally, specifies the fallen champion. Then, it wasn't easy to continue the weekend in these circumstances.

We had no other objective than to try to have fun behind the wheel and set good times to confirm our progress on asphalt. The sensations were indeed much better than during the last rally on this surface, however the speed was still insufficient to win special stages. »

From now on for the Sébastien Ogier – Julien Ingrassia tandem, a single objective: revenge from 2020.  “I think I did my best throughout the season and so I have no regrets,” Ogier said.

I really want to congratulate Ott, Martin and their team, because they deserve this title more than anyone. They have been both the fastest and most consistent throughout the year.

I am sincerely happy for Ott, whom I really like, I take my hat off to him and I will meet him next year with the firm intention of resuming the fight and recovering the trophy. »

If Ogier still has one year of contract with Citroën, the transfer market could become very agitated in the coming days.

As we explain in issue 2240 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version et en kiosques, la possibilité de voir Ott Tänak rejoindre Hyundai est apparue en marge de l’épreuve catalane. Et quid de l’avenir de Sébastien Ogier ? Rendez-vous dans nos colonnes pour en savoir plus.