Sébastien Ogier: “The only thing to do was to win this rally”

Sept couronnes en huit ans, avec désormais trois constructeurs (Volkswagen, M-Sport Ford and Toyota), record égalé de Juha Kankkunen (titré avec Peugeot , Lancia and Toyota): Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have added their names a little more to the list of winners of the WRC.

Arriving in Italy around the Monza Autodrome 14 points behind his rival Elfyn Evans, the Frenchman was able to use his immense experience of these situations to avoid breaking down in the decisive moment.

Despite a small error on Friday in one of the special stages designed within the Lombard circuit, Ogier produced a perfect performance to glean victory and coronation this Sunday.

“This last stage was certainly one of the least pleasant of my career, mentions the Toyota driver. It was so difficult that we were just trying to survive and not make mistakes.

We knew coming here that the only thing to do was to win this rally. The start was very competitive but we stuck to our plan, we continued to attack and try to maintain the pressure.

What happened to Elfyn was major for us and our title hopes. At the same time, I feel sorry for him and Scott (Martin), they had a great season. I think the team would have deserved to win the constructors' title as well.

But this seventh title for me is also a great achievement for the team and I couldn't have done it without them, so thank you to them and I'm already looking forward to this bonus season for my career in 2021."

As announced earlier in the season, Sébastien Ogier will complete another campaign with Toyota, in order to conclude his career with a real season, which has become even more immense this Sunday.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Monza Rally, produced by our special correspondent in Italy, in issue 2290 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.