Looks like the Sebastiens are the kings when it comes to the World Rally Championship. After an era dominated by Sebastien Loeb, the most decorated driver in the history of the WRC with nine consecutive titles since 2004, the ‘ultimate race against the clock’ seems to have found a worthy successor in another Sebastien (Ogier).
Ogier is on course to claim the 2013 title as the Frenchman is on top of the standings with 181 points with five more rallies to go in the 13-round calendar. Ogier is 90 points clear off his Volkswagen teammate Jari-Matti Latvala.
Ogier says he takes it as a big compliment when people compare him with rally master Loeb.
“He is the most successful driver in history of rallying. I will try to do my best to be as successful as he was. But I must add that he has won nine titles and I am trying to get my first one,” the 29-year-old told this newspaper.
Of the eight rounds so far, Ogier has won five rallies and Loeb reigned supreme in two. But the latter announced his retirement at the end of Round 5, paving the way for Ogier.
Loeb’s absence might take the sheen off Ogier’s maiden title and the younger Frenchman too feels that it would have been a better contest had he continued.
“Of course, if you can win a title by beating Loeb, it’s even better. But what can we do? It was his decision to retire. Nobody will know what would have happened if he had been doing all season but for sure it would have been very close between us like in Sweden or Argentina this year.
“If we can manage to win the title in the end it will be a great success for us because one should not forget we are in our first year into WRC with the Polo R WRC,” added Ogier.
His father is an Ayrton Senna fan and uncle an autocross driver, but it was rallying that captured the imagination of Ogier while growing up.
“Maybe, it was the first cross-kart which I received as Christmas gift when I was 8 years old. My dad had to close the road in our small village and only then I could have my first-ever gravel experience..
“Later, when I made my driving license I realised that rallying is what I love, more so because it is a more accessible form of motorsport compared to circuit racing,” added Ogier, a product of French motorsport federation’s structured rally programme.
Ogier started his WRC career with Citroen as a teammate of Loeb, but he took a gamble in leaving a proven winning team for Volkswagen’s WRC project in 2012. It proved to be a masterstroke.
“I am quite proud of what we achieved with the Volkswagen team together so far. The team always trusted me on the development of the car.”