The eight-time world champion is now driving part-time for Toyota. However, this year, he intends to fight for the title until the very end, as he currently sits second in the championship standings with four rounds remaining.
Read more: Sebastien Ogier drops a bombshell
One of the advantages of part-time driving is avoiding the road sweeping duties in gravel rallies. Ogier is no stranger to starting first on the road from his championship-winning seasons, but this year, he has enjoyed better starting positions.
This has translated into results on gravel: Ogier took victory in Portugal and Finland, while securing second place in Latvia and Sardinia. Additionally, he claimed victory in the tarmac rally in Croatia and finished second in Monte Carlo.
Ogier’s decision to compete in Rally Finland came as a bit of a surprise. However, the Frenchman explained that competing in the high-speed gravel event was something he had wished for.
“At the beginning of the season, I said that if I felt comfortable in the car on gravel, I would like to compete in Finland again. And yes, Finland is quite complex. But most of the time, I’ve also had to start first on the road there. I knew that in the past, that killed my chances of winning,” Ogier said in an interview with the German magazine Motorsport aktuell.
“With a slightly better starting position and some lines laid down, the situation is much more comfortable. And honestly, I do find it frustrating that Thierry (Neuville) is currently complaining so much about having to start first,” the French ace remarked.
Indeed, Neuville has repeatedly mentioned during the summer’s gravel events that his starting position has been a disadvantage. The Belgian, who currently leads the championship, has also criticised the fact that part-time drivers benefit from significantly better starting positions in gravel rallies. This year, part-time drivers have included Toyota’s Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä, as well as Neuville’s Hyundai teammates Esapekka Lappi, Dani Sordo, and Andreas Mikkelsen.
Ogier clarified what about the situation bothers him.
“This season, I’ve only had a significant advantage once at most. Most of the time, I’m starting from fourth position, which is where Thierry has started for almost his entire career,” Ogier stated.
“Now, I’ve been second three times and first three times. Sorry, but I’m starting in the middle of the top field and trying to make the best of it. That’s the reality, and it has nothing to do with being a part-time or full-time driver,” the Frenchman added.
Ogier currently sits second in the championship, 27 points behind Neuville, with four rounds remaining in the season.
