Ogier has been a part-time driver for Toyota for several years now. This year, the French star has competed in four WRC events, securing two victories and two second-place finishes.
Despite skipping two rounds, Ogier is currently fourth in the championship standings. He is 30 points behind the leader, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville – equivalent to the maximum points from a single event.
Ogier will compete in this weekend’s fast gravel rally in Poland. After that, he was supposed to take his summer break.
However, on Monday, Toyota announced that Ogier will also compete in the WRC round in Latvia in July, where the Japanese team will field four cars. Joining him will be full-time drivers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta, as well as Kalle Rovanperä, who is returning from his summer break.
“It was not the original plan for me to be in Latvia, but the opportunity came up after analysing together with the team the situation in both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships,” Ogier explains.
“There was a desire from the team for me to do some more events and that’s something that I’ve gladly accepted. I want to give back to the team and thank them for allowing me the opportunity to continue driving with them in the way that I have done the last three years.”
Ogier’s decision raises a significant question: is the eight-time world champion attempting to fight for another title, which would tie him with the WRC record-holder Sebastien Loeb?
If Ogier secures excellent results in Poland this week and in Latvia in July, he could be even closer to the championship lead as the season progresses into its decisive rounds. Ogier’s advantage in Poland is a better starting position compared to championship leaders Neuville, Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, and teammate Evans. Ogier is just eight points behind Tänak and Evans, who share second place.
Check out the current WRC standings here!
“I’m enjoying the season so far and the strong performances we’ve had. I’m still a competitor and I want to do my best to help my team, and to support them in keeping up the pressure in the championship fight.”
“Also, I’m always excited to discover new rallies and Latvia will need new pacenotes for everyone. That’s a situation in which I’ve normally performed well in my career, so that’s also a good reason and motivation to go there,” Ogier clarifies.
Toyota also confirmed on Monday that Sami Pajari‘s Rally1 debut will not take place in Latvia, as previously planned. Instead, Pajari will start in the Rally Finland at the beginning of August in a Toyota Rally1 car.
Read more: Sami Pajari’s Rally1 debut postponed – now set for Rally Finland!
The Rally Latvia will take place from July 18-21.
