Sébastien Ogier: “More than a driving error, a note error”

Leader of the general classification before last weekend, Sébastien Ogier could, if successful, overtake Markku Alen in the rankings of the Portuguese round of the WRC. But with an unfavorable position on the road, the reigning world champion's case seemed difficult.

Fourth after four specials, the driver M-Sport Ford lost all hope of victory after going off the road in the fifth timed sector. A tiny error according to the Frenchman.

« More than a pilot error, I would say it is a note error, confesses Ogier. I had never seen this little root hidden in an embankment, inside this bend.

A few centimeters of difference in my trajectory were enough to make me discover that it was there… and to break a suspension ball joint. It wasn't a big mistake, but it was costly, especially since we proved this weekend that we had the speed to fight for victory.

The continuation of the rally was a little long, there was no longer any objective to aim for in the general classification, however we took the opportunity to work on our settings and that resulted in good times on Saturday. »

If the top 10 points were no longer possible, the bonus units of the Power Stage could have constituted little consolation for the Ogier – Ingrassia tandem, but the conditions did not help the French pair in this regard.

“Unfortunately, as we feared, the road conditions improved enormously from car to car and, even with an excellent special, being the second WRC to start did not allow us to finish in the top 5. Not scoring a single point is never easy to take, but these are things that happen in motorsport, you have to accept it. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Rally of Portugal, produced by our special correspondent in Matosinhos, in issue 2166 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.