Rally Chile – Vincent Landais: “We have nothing to lose”

Even though you have no experience in Chile, what did you think while working on the course?

I've actually watched a lot of footage. I've soaked up the first two editions. I think it looks a lot like Wales. It looks pretty. It'll be a total discovery, but I like it. Through the onboard cameras, I didn't get the impression that the stages were complicated. However, the cameras are sometimes misleading, so we'll have to confirm that during the reconnaissance. There are few connections between the stages and the ones we'll take will often be the same ones to get out of Concepción, so it shouldn't be too difficult a round to negotiate.

In the first editions, there were variations between the stages. Is this still the case?

From the images I saw, it seemed to me that Friday was very fast compared to Saturday, which should be a little slower. In any case, I liked what I saw.

Since this is a new challenge for you, have you changed the way you approach it?

I don't mind doing new rallies at all. On the contrary, I find that you are even more attentive to what you are doing. You rely less on what you know by heart and sometimes that's not so bad. This happened in Latvia, which I had already competed in, but 10 years ago. I had been on the lookout and even more focused. By racing in Chile, we will be far from our landmarks with a different culture and we will have to take on other brands again... but I like that.

The Acropolis has turned in favor of Thierry Neuville and the championship gap has grown. Sébastien Ogier will however probably try to keep the pressure on until the end?

Mathematically, there are 90 points left to distribute and we are 38 behind. It is still possible. We have nothing to lose and we will continue as we have been doing since the beginning of the year to fight to obtain the best possible results. It had worked well until now. It was more complicated in Greece where we had started at a very high pace. In a regular way, it will be difficult, especially in the face of Thierry's current good management (Editor's note: Neuville).

You often say that what motivates you the most is having fun in the car and doing a good job. You still have three rallies left to enjoy this this year…

That is indeed the case. At the end of a weekend, I am satisfied if I have worked well. Whether in Greece or Chile… the fact that we were efficient and effective on all surfaces is a significant validation of my operating method. Afterwards, when we bring home a great result, it is also very pleasant. It is a great reward for the work done during the race, but also beforehand.

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