Sébastien Ogier might be retiring from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2021, but the seven-time champion is refusing to close the door on a part-time return to the series in the future.
The Toyota star initially announced that 2020 would be his last year in the championship before delaying that swansong to this season, following coronavirus’ halving of the ’20 schedule.
Many expected that this year’s season-opener would mark the Frenchman’s last chance to secure a record-breaking eighth Monte Carlo Rally victory.
However, Ogier’s comments in the Monte service park appear to contradict that theory.
“First of all I don’t close the door to start Monte one day again, that’s the first thing,” Ogier said.
“Secondly, I would say I don’t really think about it. I’m so focused on the race always, that somehow I don’t take the time to really think like this.
“That’s the best way to do it like I always done, to try to stay on the same level I used to be. Probably it’s in the season when I’m closer to the end that it will probably be more in my head.
“Maybe I’ll have some questions but on the other hand, I’m very confident about my choice.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I’ve decided, it’s an extra season because of the short 2020, but I also mentioned many times that I really believe I’m ready to go to the next step and to do something else in my life, to change a little bit in my life, to have new challenges, to have new opportunities to do different things as well.
“So far I have the feeling I start the season like I’ve always done. Let’s see how it goes during the year.”
Photo: Toyota Gazoo Racing
Ogier admitted that it’s “possible to do a few more rallies in the modern era”, and that he doesn’t want to make the mistake of previous drivers who have committed to retirement, only to return to the WRC in the future.
His former Volkswagen team-mate and freshly-appointed Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala weighed in on Sébastien’s future and was also quick to highlight the regret that many drivers face following their retirement.
“I also have a feeling that a rally like this [Monte], even though Séb is not doing the full championship in ’22, yes, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him in a few rallies [next year],” Latvala said.
“If we think about drivers like Sébastien Loeb coming back, and if we remember when Marcus Grönholm retired, many of them feel like “urgh, I retired too early.”
Latvala, whose last WRC appearance came behind the wheel of a Toyota on last year’s Rally Sweden, insists that his retirement from driving in the series will be permanent.
“I don’t think you’re a team principal and then suddenly, come back to drive, that would be quite a story,” Latvala said.
“But let’s see. I know Séb, and he loves driving and I love driving as well, but I’ve been driving so much and so long, and I know if I can do my historic rallies with my old Toyota, that is enough for me.”
