Sébastien Ogier: “All the ingredients seem to come together for 2017”

On the list of WRC, Sébastien Ogier joined with a fourth crown the illustrious Finns Juha Kankkunen (crowned in 1986, 1987, 1991 and 1993) and Tommi Mäkinen (titled like the Frenchman four consecutive times between 1996 and 1999).

A stranglehold on the championship with his Volkswagen team which held on in 2016 despite a drought of victories between Sweden and Germany, due in particular to a rule on the order of departures largely to the disadvantage of the native of Gap.

The Frenchman, however, remains the undisputed master of the planet rally at the moment, but recognizes that the 2017 season will offer a new challenge, notably with the arrival of the new WRCs, more powerful and more complicated to drive.

“I hope once again that my team will provide me with the absolute weapon, Ogier told us after the Rally of Spain. We are in the shoes of the favorites in our own succession, but everything will have to be redone.

It is nevertheless a good source of motivation to start again on new bases, with cars which promise to be even more pleasant to drive, and certainly even more competition. »

If the technical regulations revised for 2017 seem to be unanimous, the sporting regulations still retain an element of unknowns, in particular with regard to the famous starting orders, much criticized by the world champion. “Honestly, the evolution of the regulations concerning this will have an influence on my longevity or not, in rallying…

There is a chance that this will change in 2017, but it is not yet. I now hope that this will come to fruition because in the end, it is our sport that would emerge great. All the ingredients seem to be there for next year, all that's missing is this little detail to adjust for the competition to be truly beautiful. »

Find our full report and analysis of the Rally of Spain, as well as our interview and our focus on Sébastien Ogier's fourth world champion title, in issue 2085 of AUTOhebdo, available in digital version, and on newsstands.