World Rally Championship star Sebastien Ogier has ruled out taking part in the Dakar Rally in the future, saying he has “never been really attracted” by the prospect of competing in the cross-country event.
Ogier stepped down from WRC as a full-timer at the end of the 2021 season but continues to compete in a number of rallies every year, driving the additional third/fourth car entered by Toyota.
The Frenchman has been able to show impressive speed even at the age of 40, and has finished either first or second in the four rallies he has competed so far in 2024.
Ogier’s future is a subject that has cropped up a number of times in the past, but he has always maintained that he is not interested in returning for a full season.
One possibility that has been suggested is an entry into Dakar, which has become a common destination for former WRC drivers after they retire from the series. Toyota also has a factory presence in the Saudi Arabia-based rally raid, making it a logical choice for Ogier.
However, the eight-time WRC champion has made it clear that he has no plans to enter Dakar in the coming years, saying he would prefer to switch to circuit racing instead.
“It hasn’t been on my list yet,” he said. “I think testing the car, I will always be for it. It’s always a fun experience.
Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“But at the moment, I don’t know, I’ve never been really attracted that much by this race.
“It should have been actually the normal transition for rally drivers. Very often in the past, they went to cross country rally because it was easier to adapt and I would have more chance to perform there than I would be here in Le Mans.
“But I liked more the challenge of going on track and pushing myself, learning something new. So I think in the future if it’s not rallying, I will focus again more on track racing and endurance than Dakar.”
Since reducing his commitments in the WRC more than three years ago, Ogier has dabbled in sportscar racing, taking part in three rounds of the World Endurance Championship – including the Le Mans 24 Hours – in 2022 at the wheel of a Richard Mille-run ORECA 07 LMP2 car.
Ogier even tested the Toyota GR010 HYBRID on two occasions and was being considered for a potential Hypercar debut at Le Mans in a third car, but an additional entry from the Japanese manufacturer never materialised.
Ogier made it clear that a return to…
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