Sébastien Ogier wants to fight for the WRC title at the Central European Rally

• Interview with eight-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier
• Toyota driver hoping for nice autumnal weather and a close contest
• Ogier: “The Central European Rally is unique for the teams and cool for spectators.”

Munich. Record champion Sébastien Ogier (40) initially intended to take a more relaxed approach to the 2024 season when he received the call from the Toyota works team: the Frenchman, who also has a house in Bavaria, only planned to start at individual WRC races this season, but then ended up competing full-time again to aid the Japanese in their pursuit of the WRC title. This has proven to be a wise decision: although he missed three rounds, he currently lies second in the world championship – and has a clear goal: to win the WRC titles in the Driver and Manufacturer competitions! This would be title number nine for Ogier. However, he still has some hard work ahead of him. Ogier must strive to leave all the other drivers, particularly championship leader Thierry Neuville (BEL, Hyundai), in his wake at the remaining rallies, including the Central European Rally from 17th to 20th October.

You recently announced that will be taking part in all the remaining rounds of this season’s World Rally Championship, which also means you will be starting at the ADAC Central European Rally …
Sébastien Ogier: “To be honest, the rallies in Chile and Central Europe were not originally on my list. Given the current situation in the Manufacturer and Driver standings in the World Championship, we have decided that I will start at the remaining rounds of the WRC and challenge for the world title again. After all, we do not currently hold all the aces and are trailing in both championships. As such, every WRC rally, every WRC stage and every WRC point counts.”

Although you have only contested six of this season’s nine races so far, you currently lie second in the table, with three wins and two second places to your name. How are you so strong at the moment?
Sébastien Ogier: “No idea. I am quite relaxed and feel comfortable in the car. Plus, I have not had any particular issues with punctures or damaged rims this season. Everything is going pretty well at the moment – touch wood.”

How much are you looking forward to the Central European Rally?
Sébastien Ogier: (laughs) “Although, together with Monte Carlo, the rally is my second home race, as it is near where I live and my family, the excitement will only really transpire later. After all, we still have the rallies in Greece and Chile beforehand. The better I fare there, the better my starting position will be. There is no question about it, an asphalt rally is much more fun when you start near the front and the route is still fairly clean on your first run. You could see that last year. As the rally is a little earlier this year, nice autumnal weather would be right up there on my wish list. I like it when the conditions are as similar as possible for everyone, and we all have a fair competition. It would be nice for everyone if the title race were to remain a close one, then everyone can look forward to an awesome rally.”

The first time you started the rally, you finished fourth and narrowly missed out on the podium. How did you enjoy the inaugural Central European Rally last year?
Sébastien Ogier: “As I mentioned, the start position plays a big role. We came from behind, which did not make it any easier – particularly with the unsettled weather and resulting dirty roads. After suffering a damaged rim early on, it was very difficult to challenge at the very front. However, the event itself is good, starting with the idea of racing in three countries. There were a lot of spectators, which I think speaks volumes for the event. However, the long liaison stages are not so great for us drivers.”

Which region – or, to put it another way, which special stages – did you particularly like?
Sébastien Ogier: “First, I must say that, like at the old Rally Germany, there are real differences between the asphalt routes. I enjoyed the Sunday best, with the special stages in Germany and Austria. However, the bumpy asphalt routes and patchwork sections with different grip levels, as in the Czech Republic, also have their place in the World Rally Championship. What is cool, is that they have brought together different rallies in one event. That is something unique for the teams, as well as the spectators.”

What can fans expect from you?
Sébastien Ogier: “The goal is always the same: whenever I start anywhere, I want to win. My worst result so far this season is second place. I want and, with an eye on the World Championship, have to keep that up. The goal for the remaining four rallies is to score maximum points in the race for the Manufacturer and Driver titles.”

Sébastien Ogier
Date of birth: 17th December 1983
Birthplace: Gap (F)
Nationality: French

Rally career:

2006	First rally
2008	First of 188 WRC rallies; junior world champion
2010	First of 61 WRC victories
2013 – 2016	4 x world champion (VW)
2017/18	2 x world champion (M-Sport)
2019	Third in world championship (Citroën)
2020/21	2 x world champion (Toyota)
2022	Sixth in world championship (6 starts, 1 win)
2023	Fifth in world championship (8 starts, 3 wins)