Ogier eager to push new Toyota deal forward

Sébastien Ogier is keen to get his 2022 deal with Toyota Gazoo Racing moving and to confirm there will be further FIA World Rally Championship action included.

The seven-time world champion had originally planned to step away from the WRC at the end of last season, but wanted to come back this year to conclude a stellar career with a season of sport, less impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Now there’s talk of more WRC action in a new-generation Yaris Rally1 car in 2022.

Asked about next year, Ogier said: “It’s very clear in my mind that I won’t complete the championship next year. I’ve kept it open that I might do some rallies, maybe it will be only one, maybe a few.”

The Frenchman is looking to exploit other motorsport disciplines with Toyota.

“It’s no secret,” said Ogier, “that my dream is going to Le Mans and circuit racing. So there are things that need to be clarified first, to see if I get a chance to do that or not. That will influence if I do some rallies or not,"

“The only thing I am clear on is that I definitely want to be freer than I am now. I am planning on spending time with my family and with my son. I am enjoying seeing him grow. The plan has always been to try and spend this last year before he goes to school to maybe travel the world and do some amazing things together,"

“That’s something that is 100% sure. Let’s see what I can fit still in my calendar. I might keep a bit of rallying in so I don’t get bored! Like everyone else you need a bit of adrenaline. After I’ve been rallying and had a life like mine, very intense for the past 15 years, I believe you cannot stop from all to nothing.”

Ogier starts the second half of the current season at next week’s Rally Estonia (15 - 18 July) with a commanding 34-point lead at the top of the drivers’ title race.

Additional reporting by WRC