Ogier has skipped three rallies this season, but at the beginning of August, at Rally Finland, he made the final decision to launch a championship bid.
Ogier won both in Paraguay and in Chile, and at the same time moved to the top of the drivers’ standings by a margin of two points ahead of his team-mate Elfyn Evans.
Ogier has already claimed five wins this season – more than anyone else. The Frenchman is the clear favourite for this year’s title.
“We must not get carried away,” Ogier cautioned in an interview with RTBF.
“But of course it’s wonderful to come out of a perfect weekend. I can’t say it wipes away the slight frustration I felt after Paraguay, but it’s really nice to maximise the points and take the championship lead at such a good moment,” Ogier continued.
Ogier is perhaps now driving the best season of his entire career. And it could well lift him alongside his compatriot Sébastien Loeb in the number of world championships.
“It’s clear that the season has been exceptional so far. But no one has ever managed to drive a perfect season – not even me. Not even Sébastien Loeb. I’m very aware that this won’t be easy,” Ogier said.
At the start of the year, Ogier’s plan was essentially to contest only part of the season. The thought of a title fight, however, lingered in his mind for a long time.
“When I started the season by doing three rallies fewer than the others, the world title wasn’t my main goal. But at the back of my mind was the idea that if everything went perfectly, we might have a chance,” Ogier revealed.
“So far that’s how it’s gone: five wins from eight rallies and only podium finishes. One can be extremely satisfied with that. But there are still three rallies left, and now is definitely not the time to ease off,” Ogier reminded.
The 41-year-old veteran reached the same conclusion last season as well. He set out in search of the championship towards the end of the year, but back then things fell apart.
Ogier made several mistakes last season, which ultimately destroyed his chances, and Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville escaped to the title. This year, Ogier’s prospects of becoming champion are considerably better than last year.
