Sebastien Ogier doesn’t but have the “feeling” to problem for a ninth World Rally Championship title, whereas once more taking intention on the factors system that he feels is devaluing the title race.
The eight-time world champion, competing in part-time season, has emerged as Thierry Neuville’s nearest rival within the championship after taking victory at Rally Finland after long-time chief and team-mate Kalle Rovanpera rolled on the penultimate stage.
Ogier is now 27 factors behind Neuville with 4 occasions remaining and has already been requested by his Toyota workforce to do extra occasions given his success this 12 months.
A run of three wins and three second place finishes from six occasions has posed the query that Ogier may go on to assert a ninth world title ought to he lengthen his marketing campaign.
After crossing the end line in Finland, Ogier mentioned: “I’ve to see [if we do a full campaign] nevertheless it seems like I’ve no different choice. It’s not my precedence anymore.”
When requested by Motorsport.com about his plans for the remaining of the 12 months, Ogier performed down speak of a title struggle and as an alternative took intention at championship’s new factors system that has helped put him on this place.
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
“I feel we will have increasingly more strain to do this [the rest of the year and going for the title] anyway, inside me, I do not actually have it but, this want, this sense as a result of I don’t worth these issues [titles] as a lot as folks suppose possibly,” he defined.
“Particularly with this factors system, it is merely a joke, it is devaluing much more this championship. There will probably be a winner on the finish [of the season] however will it’s the one who deserves it, no one is aware of.”
Toyota workforce principal Jari-Matti Latvala admitted his squad isn’t “mates” of the factors system however expects a choice from Ogier about his plans for the remainder of the season earlier than the top of the month. It’s anticipated that Ogier will take part in Greece subsequent month.
“With Seb I’ve talked about that I would really like him to drive extra occasions. I am ready for his reply, however I feel the prospect he’s now within the championship as he’s second, we should always attempt to hold the struggle on and let him drive all of the occasions.
“It’s a really tough scenario, however a minimum of we have to hold attempting. With out attempting, we can not win something,” Latvala advised Motorsport.com.
“We’re not the chums with the factors system, however we can not change it. I feel in a pair weeks’ time we should always know.”
Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, Crew principal Toyota Gazoo Racing
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
Reflecting on a second profession Rally Finland win in what proved to be one of the demanding editions of the occasion, Ogier mentioned it was tough to seek out happiness after what occurred to Rovanpera.
“It was somewhat bit too brutal, when you ask me, I might actually choose being second proper now, however motorsport is like this generally, generally it is unfair,” mentioned Ogier.
“I misplaced the win in Sardinia [this year] with unhealthy luck, at present I acquired it with luck. However I can not really feel an excessive amount of happiness inside me, and possibly it can come afterwards as a result of nonetheless it’s a win in Finland.
“It’s nonetheless one of many rallies everybody desires to win probably the most, so I’ll most likely sooner or later be pleased with it, however proper now I am not.”
