Ogier’s original plan was once again to contest only part of the WRC season. He followed that plan at the start of the year, until the Frenchman realised he was in the fight for the title.
The French champion has skipped three rallies entirely this season, yet he still leads the drivers’ championship.
Ogier’s record is staggering: he has taken part in eight rallies this season and won five of them. And on every occasion he has reached the podium in the events he has entered.
It is more the rule than the exception that even the very best make a mistake during the season, or that the car lets them down. At least once. But Ogier has had no technical problems, and in truth has not really made a single mistake.
“So far it’s been I would tend to say close to perfect,” Ogier admits himself.
“Because after eight rallies, five wins, and always on the podium, with an average points score of, I don’t know, 30, 28, or something like that. I’ve no idea—I haven’t calculated yet. But something around there. Of course, it’s amazing,” Ogier says.
There are still three rounds remaining. If Ogier continues in the same way in the final rallies, it may soon be fair to speak of perhaps the greatest season in WRC history.
“But I’m well aware that it’s close to impossible to have a perfect season. It’s never been done before. No driver in history has ever managed a perfect season. I’m sure you know the statistics better than I do, but I would bet a lot that it has never happened,” Ogier reflects.
Ogier, 41, has already claimed eight world titles in his career. A ninth would lift him alongside his compatriot Sébastien Loeb in terms of championships won – and could there be a finer way to do it than by delivering a “perfect season”.
“I know there are just three rallies to go and the opportunity to try to achieve that, but it’s going to be difficult. No time to relax just yet,” Ogier says.
