Ogier shares a special bond with the Portuguese gravel rally. He claimed his first-ever WRC victory there 15 years ago.
Since then, he has added five more wins to his name. Last season, he celebrated victory in Portugal for the sixth time, becoming the most successful driver in the rally’s history. Finnish legend Markku Alén, who won the event five times, was finally surpassed by Ogier.
Next week, Ogier no longer has to stress about breaking the record.
“It was obviously very nice finally beating this record, which had been a target for many years – even if it was never my main target. But at least it’s always been a question I got from the journalists,” Ogier laughs.
“So at least this year I can start the event more relaxed on that side, not having the pressure to try to beat any record.”
Ogier only has praise for the Portuguese round, which is considered a classic in the World Rally Championship.
“I have always loved this rally, even more when it was in the South, if I’m honest. My very first win in WRC back in 2010 was there.”
“It’s a unique atmosphere here with a lot of fans coming. Always a good reason to come back here. And if we can repeat the result of last year, that would be amazing,” Ogier says.
For the Toyota driver, it’s been over seven months since his last gravel rally. Since then, Rally1 cars have dropped their hybrid units. Hankook also became the championship’s tyre supplier at the start of this season.
“It’s a lot of changes again, and there’s no guarantee at all of the performance (like last year),” Ogier emphasises.
Watch the video below of Ogier’s test ahead of Rally Portugal:
