Multiple World Champion Sebastian Loeb has shocked the rallying world by saying that new French superstar Sebastian Ogier should switch to Ford next season, for the 'betterment' of the WRC.
Loeb told French motorsport magazine L'Equipe: "I understand that he might be keen to stay at Citroen, it's thanks to Citroen he is where he is, but on the other hand if both he and I dominate the championship Ford could pull out - and that means Citroen might go as well, and then Ogier has lost everything.
"So his decision could be important for the future. Malcolm [Wilson, Ford team principal] has done all he can to get him [Ogier]. He has given him a good offer and over there he would certainly be number one."
Citroen Racing boss Oliver Quensel says that, ultimately, the decision lies with him. But he seems sure that Ogier will stay with him and Citroen:
"The feeling is that I am the boss of Citroen Racing, so I decide," said Quesnel. "And next year we will do our best for those two objectives of the drivers' and manufacturers' championships. Anyway, I am confident we will keep [Sebastien] Ogier for next year."
Should Ogier move to Ford, team-mate-to-be Jari-Matti Latvala said:
"First of all, I'm not worried because I have a contract with Ford," Latvala said. "I feel comfortable. He's a great driver and he has been developing so quickly. If he would be in our team, he could be a strength in a way - but it is more competition. In some ways it's good and in some ways not so good.
"He could push the drivers in the team to go faster if there comes another driver who can go really quick. Our knowledge on the asphalt is not so good and he might not have competed on many rallies, but he has done a lot of testing with Citroen and he knows how they do things there with the set-up, we could learn something from there."
Ogier is due to announce his choice before the Neste Oil Rally Finland.
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