Sebastien Ogier has vowed to keep pushing for rally wins all season, despite being on course to wrap up the drivers’ championship title with two rounds to spare.
Next month the Volkswagen ace will head to Rallye de France, round 11 of 13, with an 83-point lead over Thierry Neuville, who is the only other driver with a mathematical chance of taking the title.
Ogier needs just one more point from the three rallies that remain to seal the deal. The battle could be decided on the opening test in France, which, as the nominated Power Stage, carries up to three bonus points. If Neuville doesn’t win it, Ogier will become champion regardless of what happens.
“As strange as it might sound, we could clinch the title on the very first day. So we could be the first crew ever to be awarded the title on a Thursday night!” Ogier said today in a note to his fanclub.
“If this was to happen, we wouldn’t stop there. Our fans shouldn’t worry, we’re not gonna sit there twiddling our thumbs for the rest of the season! We sure intend to go on winning, if only to help Volkswagen to get the Manufacturers title, which they’re also coming closer to thanks to the points scored in Australia.”
“As for myself, I’ll be a bit more relaxed now that I won’t feel our championship pressure, and I’ll look at each rally as a new chance of victory. The Rallye de France is the perfect occasion to maintain our momentum,” he added.
Rallye de France gets underway on Thursday 3 October.