The French veteran mounted a strong attack on Saturday evening, taking the rally lead after Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville made two costly mistakes earlier in the day.
During the afternoon loop, Ogier and Hyundai’s Ott Tänak engaged in a fierce battle for the lead, just as they have done so many times before.
“It was a really good fight. Ott was really fast on this opening stage. Both passes through this morning in the tricky conditions and this afternoon with more grip. So, I thought it was a good stage on the second pass. But it looks like it was a stage he enjoyed a lot,” Ogier recalled.
Then Ogier did what he’s known for – when it was time to step up, the Frenchman did exactly that. He dominated the final two stages of the afternoon with masterful precision.
Then we had to react. The gap was super close and then we tried to push even a little bit stronger on the last two stages and managed to regain a little bit, but five seconds is not that much. So, the same kind of approach will be needed tomorrow.” Ogier planned.
Ogier and Tänak have had many great battles over the years, and Ogier holds the Estonian in high regard.
“Especially this season, we’ve had many fights together and it’s been enjoyable. I respect him a lot. We are good friends outside the car, but when we put the helmets on the rivalry is very high too. And we want to beat each other. We are both the only world champions starting the race. And when world champions fight together, it’s always, always fun,” Ogier said.
Central European Rally was expected to be a celebration for Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, with many anticipating that the Belgian would secure his first world championship title. However, that now seems unlikely. Both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles will probably be decided at the season finale in Japan.
“I think the most important thing is getting the maximum points tomorrow. But, I don’t think at all about that (drivers’ championship). In the manufacturers’, how much we caught now, six points. It needs to be confirmed tomorrow, but getting a bit closer to Hyundai, that’s the main target,” Ogier emphasised.
