Ogier to contest for WRC title No.9

Sebastien Ogier has thrown his hat into the 2024 World Rally Championship title race (albeit seemingly strong-handed by Toyota), confirming that he’ll contest the remaining four rounds.

The eight time world champion has contested the championship as a part-timer for Toyota Gazoo Racing since he took the 2021 crown – the season before the advent of the hybrid Rally1 machine.

The outspoken Frenchman has won three events in 2024, as well as finishing second three times in six contested events over nine rounds, but his participation hasn’t been without its verbal sprays regarding the controversial new points system.

He has repeatedly said that he has little interest in contesting for the title, but after his win at Rally Finland, it become apparent post race that the Toyota team were keen enlist him for the rest of the year to try and haul in Hyundai’s Thierry Neville, as well as well as the manufactures title.

Ogier took out his third win of the year at Rally Finland after teammate Kalle Rovanpera fell at the last hurdle

Neuville leads the standings by 27 points in a topsy-turvy year owing to the points imbalance, whilst the Japanese outfit trails the South Korean make by 20 points in a bid for a fourth successive title.

“Originally, Chile and Central Europe weren’t on my list. Given the current situation in the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships, however, it’s clear that I will now compete in the four remaining WRC rounds and fight for the title once again,” Ogier confirmed.

“We don’t have all the cards in our hands at the moment, and we are behind in both championships. In the drivers’ championship, I can still understand it, but not in the manufacturers’ championship.”

Further clarifying his distaste for the points system – which has twice seen a rally winner score less points than those finishing below them – Ogier gave his two cents once again.

“Toyota has won six out of nine WRC rounds so far and secured three one-two finishes, yet we are still 20 points behind. For me, this new points system is a real joke,” he said.

If Ogier does claim a ninth title, he’ll also draw level with compatriot Sebastien Loeb on nine world championships.

“I don’t care much about numbers, statistics, or records. I have other priorities. I’ll drive as long as it brings me joy and I can still compete.”

“And I want to make one thing clear: I will never compete in a full WRC season again. After this rather intense season, I might even do less next year.”

The WRC returns for the Acropolis Rally Greece on September 5-8, where Aussie youngster Taylor Gill will also contest for the WRC Junior title from a close second in the standings.

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