Ogier: “The aero gain is more of a disadvantage than anything else”

C’était le premier fruit de la collaboration entre M-Sport et Ford Performance aux États-Unis. The aerodynamic additions affixed to the rear part of Sébastien Ogier's Ford Fiesta for the rally of Finland did not have their intended effect, as CARhebdo explains it to you in issue 2176, available in digital version and in all kiosks.

The four-time world rally champion (WRC) étrennait en effet des passages de roues arrières fortement similaires à ceux utilisés par les Toyota Yaris WRC depuis un an et demi. L’objectif était de “promote traction, reduce oversteer in fast sections” and increase the support on the rear axle, according to Malcolm wilson, the boss of M-Sport.

#WRC | What happens when @SebOgier is cleared for takeoff. #RallyFinland #FordFiesta pic.twitter.com/kFmYtgPXpE

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) July 29, 2018

However, the behavior of the Ford Fiesta marked with the number 1 caused a loss of confidence among the French driver. “Of course, we expected better. For now, the aero gain is more of a disadvantage than anything else. The result does not live up to our ambitions », explained Sébastien Ogier shortly after finishing Rally Finland in fifth place. Wednesday, the official WRC website however announced that he would keep the new aero package for the Germany rally (August 16-19).

Find out how aerodynamic elements penalized the Frenchman's rally in #2176 ofCARhebdo, on sale in digital version and on newsstands.