Sébastien Ogier on the Monte Carlo Rally: "If I could only win one a year, I would choose this one."

He was a guest on the AUTOhebdo program on December 20th. Sébastien Ogier swept aside one of the most illustrious careers in the history of motorsport. He was rewarded many times after winning his ninth world championship title. WRCThe Gap native refused to make any overly forward-looking predictions about the 2026 season, which consisted of ten rallies for him. Among them, the Rally Monte Carlo, the first round of the season, and a legendary event in the discipline.

“I’ve often said throughout my career that if I could only win one rally a year, I would choose this one. It was this rally that gave me the dream of becoming a racing driver when I was very young.” he confided to us. It still fills me with wonder, it still makes me dream. I'm very happy to be the record holder for victories on this rally, especially since for the past few seasons, we've been based in Gap, my hometown.

Although this is an advantage for someone who probably knows every nook and cranny of his native land, the pressure inherent in his status as favorite, but also that linked to the difficulty of this rally, means that there are no guarantees for the person concerned.

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Can Sébastien Ogier repeat the feat?

“Of course, it’s always a special support for me there. There are also a lot of expectations! Generally, when I’m at the starting line, everyone thinks, ‘He’s going to win,’ but the truth is, I still have just as much respect for this event.” explained a humble Sébastien Ogier in his approach"It remains the rally, perhaps the most difficult of the season in terms of the conditions we have to face, the most treacherous. We always have that adrenaline rush, that stress, on Thursday evening when we set off at night, in conditions that are never easy. We launch the season with this rally and we're all in agreement. I recently spoke about it with other drivers in the championship; it's a moment that's both magical and stressful. It's fantastic to have these ten major trophies at home."

Apart from the statistical aspect, often favoured by the champion at the beginning of his career, the symbolic importance of a victory at Monte Carlo now seems to surpass the numbers. "The most important thing in all of this is the emotions it evokes," he explained to us"At the beginning of my career, these weren't necessarily things I appreciated enough. I was so focused on looking ahead, on the next race, that I didn't appreciate it enough. Over time I've learned, and now I try to appreciate it as much as possible."

Although it's no longer his primary focus, the event's record holder will attempt to secure his eleventh Monte Carlo Rally victory this weekend. Can Sébastien Ogier push the boundaries of his achievements even further?

Interview by Michaël Duforest, Cyprien Juilhard, and Pierre Barré.