Sébastien Ogier has opened the possibility of competing full-time in the WRC again, although his plans include a partial program in 2023. The Frenchman is clear, however, that he will give priority to rallies over other specialties.
Sébastien Ogier has had a peculiar 2022 season. The Frenchman decided that for the first time in thirteen years he was not going to compete full-time in the WRC, thus setting up a partial program with Toyota Gazoo Racing. In the first moment, Ogier had planned to play four rallies with the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, the New Zealand Rally being the final point of its program.
Nevertheless, Seb has finally stretched out his program and will also compete on the tarmac of the RACC and Japan Rally, thus finally disputing six of the thirteen rallies on the calendar. This fact, together with the Frenchman’s recent statements about the option of returning to the WRC full-time, have set off all the alarms, as well as fueling the hopes of his fans.
“I am not going to say 100% that I will not compete in the entire championship again, although I am at the same point”
The truth is Ogier has not finished very satisfied with his adventure in resistance and after making his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the ORECA #1 of Richard Mille Racing, the native driver of Gap decided to put an end to his project in the WEC. Since then, Seb has been more focused on rallyinghelping the team and competing for the Japanese line-up in Kenya and New Zealand, where he was second.
During this partial program, Sébastien Ogier has alternated in the third Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 with the Finn Esapekka Lappi. An alternation that in theory should be repeated in 2023 under similar terms as this season, though Ogier has slipped that he does not rule out returning to the WRC full time. In principle it will not be next year, but seen what has been seen, nothing can be ruled out.
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Same point, but with nuances
First of all, Ogier has valued the collaboration with Toyota, making it clear that he will be at the Monte Carlo Rally that opens the WRC in 2023: «It has not been difficult to decide on the ‘Monte’, but I have to decide the rest of the tests and the program itself. I am very happy that Toyota continues to offer me the opportunity to compete part-time. It’s something that I think works for both parties».
However, Seb has slipped some hitherto unpublished thoughts: “I am not going to say 100% that I will not compete in the entire championship again, but I’m at the same point as weeks ago. It’s the same thing I’ve been saying for a long time. I love my family, I love my son and I want to spend time with them.”
Rallies have priority
First step towards a return or simply thinking out loud, what does seem evident is that Ogier is going to prioritize rallies over other specialties in 2023: «I think that for racing you have to do it well, full time. Otherwise, it’s complicated. I would like to do Le Mans again, but it is difficult to do it if you compete part-time.».
Without closing any doors, both in the duration of his program for next year and in other circumstances, the French rider concluded: «We will see what happens in the future, but right now nothing has changed for me, nor has my love for the rallies. I’m looking forward to taking part in some of the rallies that I like the most».
Photos: Red Bull Content Pool