Multiple world rally champion Sebastien Ogier has ruled out taking part in the Dakar Rally in the future, saying he was “never really attracted” by the prospect of competing in the grueling desert marathon.
Ogier retired from the WRC as a regular driver at the end of the 2021 season, but continues to participate in several rallies each year, driving the third or fourth car entered by Toyota.
The Frenchman has been able to show impressive speed even at the age of 40 and has finished first or second in the four rallies he has contested so far in 2024.
Ogier’s future is a topic that has come up several 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 mooted is to participate in the Dakar, which has become a common destination for former WRC drivers following their retirement from the series. Toyota, by the way, also has an official team in the raid taking place in Saudi Arabia, which makes it a logical choice for Ogier.
However, the eight-time WRC champion has made it clear that he has no plans to participate in the Dakar in the next few years, saying he would prefer to switch to circuit racing instead.
“It’s not on my list yet,” he said. “I think that, when I test the car, I will always be ready to do it. It’s always a fun experience. But at the moment, I don’t know, this race has never attracted me that much.”
Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“It should have been the normal transition for rally drivers. Very often, in the past, they moved to rally raids because it was easier to adapt and I would have had more chances to perform there than at Le Mans.”
“But I liked the challenge of going on the track more, learning something new. So I think that in the future, if it’s not the rally, I will focus more on track racing and endurance racing again than on the Dakar.”
Since scaling back his WRC commitments more than three years ago, Ogier has dabbled in endurance racing, competing in three World Endurance Championship rounds – including the 24 Hours of Le Mans – in 2022 at the wheel of an ORECA 07 LMP2 run by Richard Mille.
Ogier also tested the Toyota GR010 HYBRID on two occasions and was considered for a potential hypercar debut at Le Mans with a third car, but the Japanese manufacturer’s expanded commitment never materialized.
Ogier made it clear that a return to endurance racing is not currently on the cards as he continues to focus on a part-time rally programme, but he also admitted that a trip to Le Mans last weekend for the 24 Hours had given “the desire to return” in the future. “I mean, never say never. But there’s no plan right now,” he said.
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
“But yes, it’s true that I think rally drivers also like track racing and I think it’s always interesting to learn something new and get some experience on the track.”
“Although it’s as if we can really talk about different disciplines. There’s always some little thing you can learn on the track that will help you become an even better rally driver.”
“Kalle Rovanpera has also proven himself to be an extremely fast rally driver. It will be interesting to now follow what he has learned on the track.”
“At the same time, I think it would be a bit difficult and challenging to put rally drivers together in one car during the 24h of Le Mans. Maybe it would be better to mix us with some experienced track drivers.”
“I decided to focus on the rally a little more, because my partial rally program suits me very well at the moment. I prefer to stay there. But being there today, of course, made me want to come back even more sooner or later.” .
Reigning two-time WRC champion Rovanpera, who took Ogier’s place in the Toyota line-up, has also shown an inclination towards circuit racing after scaling back his rallying commitments this year with a view to a full return -time in 2025.
The Finnish driver has expressed his desire to race the 24 Hours of Le Mans after contesting two Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux races in Zandvoort earlier this month.
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