Thierry Neuville on Ogier’s title: “Luck was with him”

Sébastien Ogier is once again world champion. It is common knowledge that you are not the best of friends, but has there always been respect between you?

There have always been, I think, and on both sides. We had some huge fights and like I said before this rally, we will miss him. He was a real talent, very professional who never gave up. It was always a pleasure to fight against him. Afterwards, we both had different ways of seeing certain things about regulations, starting orders or how to destabilize your competitors. Today, he and I have had a great career so far. For him, it's rather the end even if he will come back from time to time, while I still have a few good years and opportunities ahead of me.

How strong was Sébastien Ogier?

Today, I would say luck was on his side. When we saw how he hit the concrete block! I did the same thing last year and gave up. You need this success too and he always had it. It's never his fault anyway. That's probably the right way to look at it to be honest. He doesn't doubt himself, he moves forward, he attacks without asking questions and it has often paid off.

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