Sebastien Ogier has confirmed his plans to participate within the remaining rounds of the World Rally Championship to assist Toyota fight for the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles.
The eight-time world champion had been because of participate within the mid-season as a provisional driver, but his impressive run of three wins and three second places proved crucial to Toyota's fight for the manufacturers' title.
Ogier's success also sees the Frenchman grow to be Toyota's highest-placed driver within the championship and he’s confident of a ninth title, just 27 points behind championship leader and Hyundai rival Thierry Neuville.
Earlier this week, organisers of the Rally Chile, which follows this yr’s Rally Greece, released the entry list, which incorporates Ogier and his Toyota team-mate and two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala asked Ogier to participate within the remaining rounds earlier this yr. Although he initially looked as if it would downplay the prospect after Rally Finland, Ogier will now add Chile and the Central Europe Rally to his programme, which already included the season finale in Japan in November.
“I think it's clear now. There are four rounds left and the position we have in the championship meant we had to try, being now also the top Toyota driver,” Ogier told Motorsport.com.
“Of course, the team really wanted me to be there and I had two of those 4 players on my side. [rallies] were already planned, we just needed so as to add Chile and Central Europe.
“Even though I'm not on the lookout for a visit to Chile that much, [because of the distance to Europe]I can't complain about finding myself in this example.
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo: Toyota Racing
“It's still tempting to have a likelihood to fight for the championship, even when it's still unlikely. It's still demanding to shut that gap with the present points system, but one of the best we are able to do is attempt to put pressure on as late within the season as possible.
“As long as there is a mathematical chance, anything can happen.”
Toyota boss Latvala says the result’s each “good for Sebastien personally and for the team”, while admitting the important goal is to win the manufacturers' title. Toyota is 20 points behind Hyundai heading into this weekend despite having won six of the nine rallies to this point.
“We talked about the fact that if he fights his way into Latvia and everything goes well, why not fight his way into the rest of the championships, because he was a very strong asset for us this year,” Latvala said.
“We want to keep fighting for the championship.”
Overall leader Neuville, who announced a one-year contract extension with Hyundai through to 2025 ahead of today’s Acropolis Rally in Greece, expects Ogier to be his strongest rival until the top of the season.
“Someone else will fight for the championship, and if you win, so much the better,” Neuville said.
“He will at all times have an excuse for not collaborating in all the opposite rounds, but he selected those he didn’t participate in thoroughly.
“He did very well using his position on the road, but now it will be a little different, but he is the one to fight with. It is no secret that he will be the strongest by the end of the year in the fight for the championship, and we have to resist that.”
