Championship leader Sebastien Ogier has
committed himself to pushing for wins on all three of the remaining
2013 WRC rounds.
Having already claimed six wins this
season, Ogier has the title all but wrapped up, barring disaster
(which, since this is rallying, is entirely possible). So, with three
rounds remaining and the chance to beat his arch-rival Sebastian Loeb
in their home country, and Loeb's back yard, Ogier will be going on a
charge.
Ogier has the possibility of winning
the title after SS1 in France. The first stage is nominated as the
Power Stage, so Theirry Neuville (the only person mathematically in
with a chance of beating Ogier) must win it, otherwise Ogier has the
title wrapped up, regardless of who finishes where. Unless, that is,
the Frenchman fails to finish.
“If this was to happen [winning the
World Title in France], we wouldn’t stop there. Our fans shouldn’t
worry, we’re not gonna sit there twiddling our thumbs for the rest
of the season! We sure intend to go on winning, if only to help
Volkswagen to get the Manufacturers title, which they’re also
coming closer to thanks to the points scored in Australia.” he
said.
Team Principal, Jost Capito, has
granted Ogier permission to go on maximum attack to win in France,
since Volkswagen have have such a massive Championship lead.
“To get the manufacturers’ lead by
more than 40 points, this allows Seb to really fight in France. The
whole team will support him unconditionally. If the gap was smaller,
we might have had some tough words [with Ogier], but now he can
really go for it. I’m sure he’s happy for this.” said Capito.
In something that might worry his
rivals a bit, Ogier says he is now more relaxed now he is on the cusp
of a maiden World Title success. Each rally will mean a renewed push
for the win, so everyone who thought they might have a chance of
beating the Frenchman might just have to think again, or really up
their game.
“As for myself, I’ll be a bit more
relaxed now that I won’t feel our championship pressure, and I’ll
look at each rally as a new chance of victory. The Rallye de France
is the perfect occasion to maintain our momentum,” he added.
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