Sébastien Ogier: “We never gave up”

The outcome of the 2018 World Rally Championship season will not have been decided in the Power Stage of Rally from Australia. While Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford) was in a favorable position at the start of the last stage this night, the Frenchman, supported by Julien Ingrassia, will not have had to wait for the last stop point of the event.

The two errors of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Ott Tänak (Toyota) ont permis à l’ancien pilote Volkswagen de coiffer une sixième couronne et ainsi poursuivre la domination de la France sur le WRC since 2004 and the start of control of the Sébastien tandem Loeb – Sébastien Ogier.

“The season was incredible and the fight was so close, comments Ogier. Not long ago we thought it would be difficult to retain the title, but we never gave up.

We gave everything and had an extraordinary team around us. I am so proud of them and of course I want to thank Malcolm for the fantastic job. What we have accomplished together over the past two years has been truly special and I am very proud of that. »

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, recruited by Citroën Racing from 2019, are leaving M-Sport Ford after two consecutive titles won for the British structure, which however abandons its Manufacturers' crown to Toyota.

But nothing to dampen Julien Ingrassia’s joy. “We have had a great journey with M-Sport over these two years and everything we have achieved, we have achieved together.

We wanted to end our collaboration with Malcolm and the team in a special way, and that’s what we did. There were a lot of ups and downs during the season and the rally, and we gave everything to achieve this incredible result. I hope I have some energy left to celebrate with the team tonight. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Rally Australia, produced by our special correspondent in Coffs Harbour, in issue 2192 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.