Sebastien Ogier doesn’t yet have the “feeling” to challenge for a ninth World Rally Championship title, while again taking aim at the points system that he feels is devaluing the title race.
The eight-time world champion, competing in part-time season, has emerged as Thierry Neuville’s nearest rival in the championship after taking victory at Rally Finland after long-time leader and team-mate Kalle Rovanpera rolled on the penultimate stage.
Ogier is now 27 points behind Neuville with four events remaining and has already been asked by his Toyota team to do more events given his success this year.
A run of three wins and three second place finishes from six events has posed the question that Ogier could go on to claim a ninth world title should he extend his campaign.
After crossing the finish line in Finland, Ogier said: “I have to see [if we do a full campaign] but it looks like I have no other option. It is not my priority anymore.”
When asked by Motorsport.com about his plans for the remaining of the year, Ogier played down talk of a title fight and instead took aim at championship’s new points system that has helped put him in this position.
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“I think we’re going to have more and more pressure to do that [the rest of the year and going for the title] anyway, inside me, I don’t really have it yet, this wish, this feeling because I don’t value those things [titles] as much as people think maybe,” he explained.
“Especially with this points system, it’s simply a joke, it’s devaluing even more this championship. There will be a winner at the end [of the season] but will it be the one who deserves it, nobody knows.”
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala admitted his squad is not “friends” of the points system but expects a decision from Ogier about his plans for the rest of the season before the end of the month. It is anticipated that Ogier will participate in Greece next month.
“With Seb I have mentioned that I would like him to drive more events. I’m waiting for his answer, but I think the chance he is now in the championship as he is second, we should try to keep the fight on and let him drive all the events.
“It’s a very difficult situation, but at least we need to keep trying. Without trying, we cannot win anything,” Latvala told Motorsport.com.
“We are not…
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