Ogier had originally planned to contest only part of this season’s World Rally Championship events, but in Finland the Frenchman announced that he would at least be on the start line in the South American rounds.
Although Ogier did not confirm it outright, this decision clearly shows that the Frenchman is now seriously targeting the ninth world title of his career. That would place Ogier level with his compatriot Sébastien Loeb in terms of championship victories.
It is likely that after South America, Ogier will also compete in the Central European Rally and in Japan, before weighing up whether he still has a realistic chance of fighting for the championship. If that is the case, he will almost certainly also enter the season-ending Rally Saudi Arabia.
Ogier’s decision did not come as a surprise. The “part-timer” is only 13 points behind his Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans in the drivers’ standings, despite skipping several rallies.
Toyota’s deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen was asked whether Ogier’s decision had been planned for some time. He could not answer that question, but the rally legend certainly made his own view clear.
“I am not sure was it the original plan,” said Kankkunen.
“But I wanted him to drive all the rallies – all the rallies for the rest of the season. Because he’s always strong and a good man. You can trust him 100%,” Kankkunen continued.
Kankkunen is right. Ogier has finished on the podium in every rally he has contested this season, and Toyota could not hope for a better part-time driver.
Ogier made a similar decision last year. After Rally Finland he chose to contest all the remaining events, and this year he is in an even stronger position in the title fight than he was back then.
Last year, Ogier’s plan did not work. The Frenchman made a number of mistakes in the closing rounds, and in the end it was Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville who was crowned champion for the first time in his career.
This season’s championship battle is more thrilling than it has been for years. Alongside Evans, Kalle Rovanperä and Ogier, Hyundai’s Ott Tänak is also firmly in the fight for the title. It would be no surprise if the championship were decided only at the final round in Saudi Arabia.
