Sébastien Ogier has given the clearest hint yet that he will remain with Volkswagen Motorsport for next season.
The Frenchman has been the subject of various rumours during the summer linking him with Citroen and Hyundai. But the reigning world champion suggested he will stay with the German squad, with whom he is on the verge of a second consecutive drivers’ title.
“I think I would be stupid to change. It’s not too bad to be in this team. It’s the best one at the moment and I reached my dream to become world champion with them,” he said ahead of tonight’s start ceremony at Rallye de France-Alsace.
“We started the story together three years ago now. It was a frustrating year in 2012 when we had to develop everything. Last year it was a surprise to be so successful immediately and this year is once again a very strong year for Volkswagen, so there is no reason to change.
“It’s true that we are not really ready to announce the future but it’s just a question of timing and we shall get the information quite soon. I’m not the one to confirm it. The team will do it, but I can just tell you that you will not wait so long anymore,” Ogier added.
It is expected that Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen will also stay with the team.