Ogier wants to “reverse the trend a little” in Germany

Après un nouveau succès d’Ott Tänk (Toyota) To Rally from Finland, the Estonian is 22 points ahead of Sébastien Ogier in the championship. The six-time world champion therefore hopes to reduce this delay by competing next week in the German Rally, which he has already won three times.

“I arrive in Germany, on a field where I have always been at my advantage, with the objective of getting a good result and reversing the trend a little in the championship. We encountered several types of atmospheric conditions during testing and it is always positive”, indicated the Gapençais.

“Disputing the military camp in the opposite direction means that it can once again become a justice of the peace, even if in recent years, the necessary tire management prevented us from attacking too much. In any case, this remains a delicate portion to negotiate, like the rally itself, where the risk of punctures in particular is greater than usual, due to the numerous borders present in the vines. , like so many small sharp stones that swarm in Baumholder », said the reigning world champion.

Esapekka Lappi is less experienced than his teammate with 5 starts, but the Finn nevertheless distinguished himself by reaching the last step of the podium last year.

“My June tests were conclusive. In addition to a half day in the military camp, I did a full day on a good base, with a bit of all the types of profiles that await us on the race, and I felt comfortable behind the wheel of C3 WRC. But it's always difficult to predict where we will be. In the meantime, I also spent a day at Satory to allow me to find the benchmarks specific to asphalt. So I'm ready, and I think that on such a tricky rally, in addition to the top speed, you also have to be consistent as there is always a lot going on. The podium signed last year demonstrated it to me”, declared the Finn.

Citroën shone on German soil by winning the first 11 editions of the WRC, but its last success dates back to 2013 when Dani Sordo won in his DS 3 WRC.

“After our second place in Finland, the objective will be to maintain this good dynamic on this atypical asphalt event, by securing at least one new podium and also doing well in the championship with Sébastien, admitted Citroën Racing director Pierre Budar. Since Corsica, we have understood a certain number of things on the tarmac and worked hard to remedy them, so I hope that we will find the top of the bill in this round whose characteristics we know well. We are also releasing an evolution of our engine for the occasion. »