Over the years, one of the WRC’s main partners, Pirelli, has often been on the receiving end of Ogier’s blunt remarks. The Italian tyre manufacturer, the official supplier for the WRC, has not always been to Ogier’s liking.
For instance, during the 2022 season finale in Japan, Ogier vented his frustration after suffering a puncture early in the rally.
“It is the usual story and maybe one day we will start to talk about the really shit job Pirelli is doing and maybe something will change. But at the moment really it’s a joke what they are doing – it is just a lottery,” Ogier fumed at the time.
This was far from the only instance of Ogier criticising the Italian company. During last year’s Central European Rally, he expressed a desire for Michelin to return as the WRC’s tyre supplier after another puncture. Later, Ogier apologised for his comments, as it was revealed the issue had been caused by a damaged wheel rim rather than the tyre itself.
This year, Ogier’s tone towards Pirelli was notably softer as the company’s tenure as the WRC’s tyre supplier came to an end.
Pirelli bid farewell last weekend at the Monza Rally Show in Italy, where all the WRC manufacturers – Hyundai, M-Sport Ford, and Toyota – were in attendance. Ogier participated in the Masters’ Show on Sunday, driving a Toyota Rally1 car.
At the event’s conclusion, Ogier surprised many with his unexpectedly warm farewell to Pirelli.
“I have given Pirelli a hard time in the past but they kept their word and brought improvements over the years and it was great to celebrate a successful partnership with all the teams at Monza Rally Show,” Ogier wrote on social media.
“Grazie Pirelli.”
During the event, Ogier was also photographed smiling alongside Pirelli’s rally operations boss, Terenzio Testoni.
Next year, South Korean manufacturer Hankook will take over as the WRC’s official tyre supplier.
