WRC
Penalized by a puncture, Sébastien Ogier knocks out Pirelli: “Maybe one day we will talk about their shitty work”
Sébastien Ogier does not have his tongue in his pocket. © DPPI / N. Natikis
Passionate about rally can thank Sébastien Ogier (Toyota). On the sidelines of the Rally Japan, the eight-time world champion (WRC) dared to express his thoughts concerning one of the major subjects of the 2022 season: the transition from sole manufacturer Michelin to Pirelli.
The Frenchman had been slowed down by almost 3 minutes due to the fault of'a puncture remained unexplained. “When I look at the tire, I don’t understand, because there is no mark. The rim is intact… but there is a small hole », he tried to analyze then.
Rejected from any fight for victory on his employer's land even though he had achieved the best time in the first special, Sébastien Ogier chased after the lost time and finally finished the event just off the podium.
“Maybe one day we’ll finally talk about their shitty work,” he declared at the stopping point of the Power Stage, the final Sunday special. “Maybe this will help change things, but for now it’s just a joke.” It's a lottery. »
A few hours earlier, the rallying star had not been kind to the Italian company, as Burgrid relayed on his Twitter account. “It’s really annoying that no one is talking about this problem with Pirelli. Their job is a joke. This is not serious. There are punctures everywhere, all the time.
Over 2000 languages and Sébastien Ogier chose to speak facts #WRC pic.twitter.com/ROoSRLdvIK
— Burgrid⑯ (@Burgrid16) November 13, 2022
In fact, we had more punctures in one year than with Michelin in a decade! Nobody dares to talk about it because there are stories of contracts and sponsors involved. This is not serious. I am happy not to play the entire championship in these conditions. »
Winner of the Rally de Catalunya, Sébastien Ogier ends the 2022 season sixth in the Drivers' championship.
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Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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Dany Lucena
13/11/2022 at 11:31 a.m.
For once he punctures and loses time, it's obviously Pirelli's fault. Always a bad loser...
Bernard JOUVENE
14/11/2022 at 03:32 a.m.
But he has punctured 4 times this year out of 6 participations! Everyone knows these tires are the sh..., except you...
Dany Lucena
14/11/2022 at 08:34 a.m.
Rovanperä had less punctures than him with more participations. He's less lucky, that's all! And don't forget that he is the only one to have won a rally by going crazy at Monte Carlo 2021 with Pirelli