Hyundai’s star driver Neuville has repeatedly expressed frustration about having to open the road as the championship leader. In Greece, Ogier had enough and took a sharp jab at Neuville.
Ogier urged Neuville to learn how to drive as the first car on the road and to keep quiet about it.
Neuville chose not to engage in a verbal battle with Ogier, declining to comment on the matter. Now, in an interview with the French magazine AutoHebdo, Ogier has provided more context behind his remarks.
“Considering how the weekend ended, you could say it would have been better to stay quiet,” Ogier laughed, referring to his crash on the final stage of the Acropolis Rally.
Still, the Frenchman stands by his comments.
“But on the other hand, I’m not a fan of political correctness or bland interviews where nothing is said,” Ogier stated.
The WRC is currently facing several major issues. One of them – though perhaps a minor one – is that drivers are not always free to speak their minds. Ogier himself received a suspended fine of €30,000 in Greece after he heavily criticised the organisers for the three-minute start intervals.
“I feel the championship, overall, is not in its best shape, far from it, and adding a bit of spice doesn’t hurt,” Ogier defended his comments.
“It’s part of the game and part of the sport.”
Ogier currently sits third in the WRC standings, 38 points behind Neuville with three rounds remaining. The next WRC rally will take place this weekend in Chile.
