That information makes what you said previously even more ridiculous...
Printable View
Imo one of his (remaining) motivation points was to "beat" Loeb, but not necessarily in number of titles. You could clearly see how his motivation in Mexico went up 300% when Loeb was ahead after Friday.
He has already won titles with different manufacturers unlike Loeb and this year he has beaten Loeb directly in 2 rallies (in Mexico Loeb got puncture just as Ogier was closing on him and in Corsica Loeb crashed from behind Ogier).
So if he also beats Loeb in Catalunya and gets a new title. It's quite possible he'll leave.
On the other hand I also think there might be a (very) slim hope of him going to Citroen if Breen/others finish on podium in 1-2 more rallies and Citroen goes in properly. Also considering that Matton is now gone.
You're not considering the amount of millions he gets every year if he drives.
Imo if he will stop it will not be because of his choice but because other will not sign him.
I wonder why nobody would do that btw, Mirek what makes you think nobody wants to sign him?
And why should he want to leave M-Sport? Seems to be performing quite well. Money...well, i believe he has it already, he can use part of it to make it grow in an easier way. Family life and risk vs motivation to compete and be the best is another subject.
I think he is only half-satisfied with the amount of "factory support" M-Sport has, since he was so vocal about it.
Reason why teams did not sign him in summer 2017:
- his speed during most of 2017 was not impressive at all, no real dominant win, 2017 Monte was after Neuville crashed, 2017 Portugal while better he was still slower than Tanak before Tanak got the issues
=> This, combined with how he refused them at end of 2016 and Tanak being from Estonia made Toyota sign Tanak
- Hyundai had 3 drivers at that point and certainly not enough money to pay Ogier, I guess they got Mikkelsen cheap
- so Citroen was only real option which somehow did not work.
----------------------------------------------
Now going towards Finland (and negotiations time it's quite different):
- both in Mexico and Corsica he has shown he still has the speed
(- Toyota might still not want him since they have Tanak)
- Hyundai can be interested depending how negotiations with Neuville go
- Citroen might be an option again and now the car is seemingly decent on most surfaces
No way; if Ogier was really serious about leaving he’d have done it last year, after proving he can win with any car. Rosberg shocking retirement made him doubt for a while (his own words on a couple of interviews) but it looks he got over it. Most likely he’ll continue at Ford, until the day Mr. Toyoda finally decides to cover him with yens…