Once again competing in only a partial campaign, Ogier has already taken three wins this season and currently sits second in the drivers’ standings.
Toyota couldn’t ask for a better part-time driver. Ogier is now 41 years old, yet his performance level hasn’t dropped at all from his peak years.
It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that Ogier would be a title contender every year if he chose to contest the full season. Last year, after Rally Finland, he even looked like the favourite to win his ninth world title. He was then persuaded to continue for the rest of the season – but ultimately the championship slipped away during a series of crashes, allowing Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville to claim the crown.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala isn’t ruling out the possibility that Ogier’s programme could be extended again this year. But the decision ultimately rests with Ogier himself – not the team.
“Last year, his rally schedule was extended, and in the end that maybe didn’t quite work out. But I think if he does well in Greece, then we might start adding more rallies. That’s just my personal opinion,” Latvala told RallyJournal.com.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans currently leads the drivers’ championship, yet over the course of the season Ogier has arguably been the most consistent performer. The Frenchman has delivered more or less every time he’s stepped into the car. So is such dominance by a part-time driver even a little embarrassing for the others, Jari-Matti Latvala?
“I wouldn’t say it’s embarrassing,” Latvala replied with a smile.
“You have to remember he’s an eight-time world champion. Winning even one world title is an enormous challenge – anyone can try and win as many as he has. That says everything about his level. If Sébastien Loeb came back now and was able to fight for the title, then maybe it would be a different story,” Latvala grinned, referring to Ogier’s fellow countryman and nine-time world champion.
