Toyota’s French star Ogier has skipped three rallies this season but has still managed to stretch his tally to six event wins, which keeps the Frenchman firmly in the title fight. His biggest rival this coming weekend in Saudi Arabia is his team-mate Elfyn Evans, who leads the championship by three points ahead of Ogier.
If Ogier claims his ninth title, he will draw level with his compatriot Sébastien Loeb. Of course, the title battle also features a third Toyota driver, Kalle Rovanperä, although his deficit to Evans is already 24 points. Ogier has enjoyed the battles with Rovanperä, who will step away from rallying after this season to focus on circuit racing.
“I don’t really have the words, but it has been a pleasure to fight with Kalle and Jonne (co-driver Halttunen) over the past few seasons. You have shown incredibly fine performance and achieved at least two championships. Let’s see what still happens this weekend,” Ogier says.
“Of course, I wish Kalle only the best for your future on the circuit. I am sure you will do well there. You have raw speed, which you will certainly be able to show on the track too.”
Rally Saudi Arabia is shaping up to be quite a spectacle in the championship battle. The rally will be a true test of strength for the cars, which must withstand all the rocks and bumps. Ogier is pleased that the title fight will be decided in the season finale, but he would have preferred more even conditions.
“Of course I am excited that I can fight for the championship. It is exactly the situation everyone wants, and the whole year has been aimed at this. But at the same time, when you think about these conditions, there are many things we cannot control,” Ogier explains.
“You have probably heard the same from my other contender (Evans). I am sure all of us would have wanted to settle this fight somewhere else, but here we are. We just have to do our best to control the things that are within our control.”
