Although the short, two-kilometre loop doesn’t really reflect the rally itself, it’s always nice to kick things off with a benchmark time. Ogier knows how to win in Sardinia — he has already celebrated victory on the Mediterranean island four times.
Toyota drivers currently hold the top three spots in the WRC standings, which also means they face the toughest road conditions on Friday. Ogier will start as the third car on the road, giving him a slight advantage compared to his teammates, but still a disadvantage against Hyundai’s top drivers starting further back.
“It’s not the ideal spot. But I never start the rally thinking I cannot do it. I always hope we can find a way around it and win,” Ogier told RallyJournal.com.
“I won this rally couple of times already and the last time I won in 21, I was third the road. So it’s not impossible. But of course the Hyundai is going to be fast with a better start position. We know that already. We have to make the best we can on Friday to pick up a better start position if we want to fight for the win.”
After Ogier’s shakedown win, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala praised the French veteran for his great mindset. Ogier agreed but urged caution about reading too much into the early result.
“Yeah, it was good — but “very good” is a bit too much to say, because it’s very short. Not really representative. You cannot, you know, learn much from this shakedown. Still, it’s always better to be faster than slower. So yes, the general feeling was good, and I generally like this rally.”
Over the years, the multiple world champion has learned how to master the unique challenges of Rally Sardinia.
“The most important thing is to stay out of trouble. Some sections, even on Sunday, are in very rough condition. The long stage on Sunday will be a big test,” Ogier reflected.
“At the beginning of the first years when I came here, maybe my notes were not precise enough or whatever, but it’s very difficult with a lot of narrow section, and it’s a lot of stones everywhere here. It´s important to have all of the information that you don’t hit the stones and still have the speed.”
“The characteristic of the rally at first I didn’t like that much, but now I’m still coming here on my partial program. That means it looks like I learned to like it.”
