Vincent Landais: “I’m being given the chance to show what I can do”

How was this participation in Japan organized with Sébastien Ogier ?

I collaborated with him for the first time during Monte-Carlo. Benjamin Veillas being at his side, Simon Jean-Joseph, who is Sébastien's usher, was looking for someone and I therefore took my place in the right seat having absolutely everything to discover. Since then, we haven't really stayed in touch, but he called me after our great performance with Pierre-Louis Loubet at the Acropolis and he asked me what my plan was for the end of the year. I then did a test session with him just before Catalonia and then he asked me to run Japan with him.

How did your meeting go in Monaco?

The schedules meant that we saw very little of each other during the event. When possible, as it was the first time I had met him, I had remained discreet and mostly listened. We still talked about my career and what was planned with Pierre-Louis, but that's all. After Monte-Carlo, I had the excellent surprise of receiving a message from him thanking me for the work done with Simon.

What does it do for a co-driver who is starting to be experienced to tell himself that he is going to race in WRC with a multiple world champion? Is there a risk of putting too much pressure on yourself?

To say I don't have one would be a lie, but it's good pressure. After 12 years of experience, they are giving me the chance to show what I can do. It’s an opportunity that I’m seizing. I am quite sure of myself and my work which has never failed me until now. This is also due to the fact that I have had a fixed driver for 7 years and I know his expectations. There, the biggest challenge will be to meet Sébastien's specifications and we all know that he is above par.

What was Pierre-Louis’ reaction?

He is happy for me. He told me to seize this incredible opportunity. Will there be a sequel, no one really knows? This is a full-scale test. Pierre-Louis is working very hard to have something in 2023 and there will be something. We'll see, but for now, I'm going to go to Japan and have this experience 200%. We will take stock later.

The fact that the rally from Japan being unknown is it an advantage for your new couple with Sébastien Ogier?

I didn't ask myself the question. What is certain is that there was no possibility of adjusting in advance to the level of videos from previous years. It will be a big challenge. Everyone says it's going to be very tight, slow with little grip. The conditions may not be easy, the start is at night and finally there will be the openers to manage... It's an incredible opportunity to attack with something so difficult. If this goes well and if I continue with Monte-Carlo, then everything will seem simple to me and I will be able to go everywhere.