Sebastien Ogier

[Allyc85]

My friend was talking to David Richards at the weekend and was told that Ogier is to join Ford subject to their confirmation in the next few weeks. Richards did joke though that they should knock a 0 off of his salary after what happened on SS1 haha

[tfp]

I think we can only see Solberg with Mikkelsen moving to VW for the next year. The others will want a shot at the WRC title.

I agree with solberg, but I think VW number 2 will be hanninen:-)

[Mirek]

I think that next year the two who will drive VW Fabias will be Mikkelsen and Hänninen. Solberg won't do that in my opinion, just testing WRC.

[Fly_Half]

I also heard on the weekend that Ogier to Ford is more or less a done deal.

[Plan9]

I hope Hanninen's career is not damaged by competition for only two VW seats. I would guess that as Ogier is a smart guy he would want to jump into a big money team as soon as the car (Polo) has had the gremlins worked out by the Norwegians and the Finn.

[dimviii]

Ogier 2008-09-10-11 at Great Britain
Sebastien Ogier Crash in Wales Rally GB (2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmPHTIZpaVo)

[Sulland]

I think that next year the two who will drive VW Fabias will be Mikkelsen and Hänninen. Solberg won't do that in my opinion, just testing WRC.
But you think Petter will be in the VW team in 2012

Will they do any rallies with the Polo next year at all, for benchmark tests?

[Mirek]

Ask in Hannover, not me...

[6789]

Ogier 2008-09-10-11 at Great Britain
Sebastien Ogier Crash in Wales Rally GB (2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmPHTIZpaVo)

Great video! Atleast in 2011 he kept it off the roof!!

[uranium]

Roof in 2011 in that place would result diving

[N.O.T]

But you think Petter will be in the VW team in 2012

Will they do any rallies with the Polo next year at all, for benchmark tests?

In a greek rally forum the co-driver of Vovos said that the deal with Solberg-VW is 95% done....

[Ucci]

I also heard on the weekend that Ogier to Ford is more or less a done deal.
Wait until today 15:00 o'clock. Something will happen.....

[big_sw2000]

Thought i might pop this in hear

Rally GB, Ogier in ditch - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNmNkZ9e3Rw)

[dimviii]

Thought i might pop this in hear

Rally GB, Ogier in ditch - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNmNkZ9e3Rw)

which stage is this?

[GigiGalliNo1]

Citroen conference presse is going on now

[AndyRAC]

No online coverage.....follow on Twitter...

[tolis]

"2012 will start shortly. Citroen let go Seb Ogier and Julien Ingrassia. Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen will joins us from next year"
Announced by Quesnel!!!

[Ucci]

"2012 will start shortly. Citroen let go Seb Ogier and Julien Ingrassia. Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen will joins us from next year"
Announced by Quesnel!!!
I was right....

[big_sw2000]

which stage is this?

This is the second run of Hafren

[Zeakiwi]

Would Volkswagen break out the chequebook and put Ogier on a limited SWRC/IRC program for 2012 ?

[Mirek]

Ogier would never sign such deal in my opinion.

[J.Lindstroem]

Volkswagen would be perfect for Ogier. He would get that nr 1 position he needs!

[noel157]

I understand that Ogier has made up his mind, he has signed with VW Motorsport. It's from a good source so likely some truth in it.


my sources say he signed with hyundai as test driver for the new accent so ask him again...

Well Mr Turnip Head? :)

[kiil]

Ogier to VW:

Ogier becomes first factory driver at Volkswagen - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeicxXyqwvw)

[N.O.T]

Well Mr Turnip Head? :)

well considering the Hirvonen - Ogier swap was certain and everyone thought it was a done deal and we had a new rumur every 2 days i think being doubtful was legit....

[noel157]

I understand that Ogier has made up his mind, he has signed with VW Motorsport. It's from a good source so likely some truth in it.


my sources say he signed with hyundai as test driver for the new accent so ask him again...


well considering the Hirvonen - Ogier swap was certain and everyone thought it was a done deal i think being doubtful was legit....

Not everyone but no worries.

[noel157]

Sainz taking the credit:

World Rally Championship - News - Sainz called for Ogier signing (http://www.wrc.com/news/sainz-called-for-ogier-signing/?fid=15828)

[dimviii]

Ogier will perform his first public duty as a Volkswagen driver when he takes part in the Race of Champions event in Dusseldorf from 3/4 December.

World Rally Championship - News - Ogier to Volkswagen (http://www.wrc.com/news/ogier-to-volkswagen/?fid=15827)

[Barreis]

Good news. The most important thing that he's not at ford. :D

[koko0703]

It's good that Ogier doesn't have to deal with uncertain future of Ford and Mini and we will see him in, hopefully, a competitive works car in near future. But it's terrible for fans that we won't see Ogier on WRC stage, at least not on WRCars, next year.

[noel157]

Two important points- Ogier gets up early and he'll be in "our junior team" and is likely to compete in all WRC rounds in 2012.

Q & A with Volkswagen's Kris Nissen - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96407)

[jonkka]

Why is "getting up early" an important point?

[N.O.T]

very professional answers and good backing of their driver....

[Hartusvuori]

Why is "getting up early" an important point?

This is rallying. If you're not waking up early, you're faking it.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Fantastic news for his Career... he no doubtly be a future champion... a fantastic manufacturer with FULL backing and support for Sebastien and Jullian as well. So what he will have a testing year in 2012.... then full year of attack in 2013? Then he has another year after that! Who's to complain and why would people see it negatively? Go Ogier!

One of the biggest car companies in Europe.... one the to be biggest manufactures (They're aiming for spot number 1) in the world!!! It's also great for the WRC as well don't you think?

[dimviii]

very professional answers and good backing of their driver....

are you sure?

How do you avoid the problems Citroen experienced with Loeb?
KN: That's very easy – we do not sign an agreement with Loeb.

i really can t find it enough ''professional answer''......

[N.O.T]

that answer covers the "backing their driver" part...

[noel157]

Why is "getting up early" an important point?

Jonkka, just joking. Thought it was an unusual thing to say in an interview.

[dimviii]

Jonkka, just joking. Thought it was an unusual thing to say in an interview.
+1 a lot of unusual things at a professional interview.

[dimviii]

that answer covers the "backing their driver" part...

wrong way imho,and no respect at a person he was talking before some months for co operation with vw.

[N.O.T]

I do not find it that insulting...i mean maybe he said it in a way that: We did not sign Loeb because these two are not going well with each other. Not in a way that Loeb is the source of the problem.

[dimviii]

Ogiers interview,which confirms Monte entry.Nice!
Sébastien Ogier: (http://www.best-of-rallylive.com/en/2011/11/23/interview-of-sebastien-ogier-volkswagen-driver/)

[RS]

So Ogier will do the entire WRC next year, mostly in a Fabia and maybe some in the Polo. He will be a great benchmark for the other VW juniors and everyone else driving S2000 too. I expect he could still pick up a fair few points next year.

[Allyc85]

Is Hanninen doing SWRC again? It would be great to have those two drivers head to head in the same car!

[Plan9]

It will be interesting to see how fast Ogier can make the Fabia go, especially as it will probably a test mule for WRC-spec parts!

[noel157]

Hope not, illegal car otherwise.

[Mirek]

Škoda can homologate Polo WRC parts for Fabia S2000. I don't say it will happen but this possibility exists.

[uranium]

Škoda can homologate Polo WRC parts for Fabia S2000. I don't say it will happen but this possibility exists.

Especially if take to consideration, that civil polo and fabia probably has 80% the same parts

[noel157]

Škoda can homologate Polo WRC parts for Fabia S2000. I don't say it will happen but this possibility exists.

Sorry Plan9, as Mirek and Uranium allude to, it is indeed possible. I didn't realise.

[Mirek]

Especially if take to consideration, that civil polo and fabia probably has 80% the same parts

It is not that many. Although platforms are similar they are not absolutely same. Fabia is built on PQ24 while the Polo-R is on modified PQ25 (modified for 4WD use etc.).

[uranium]

It is not that many. Although platforms are similar they are not absolutely same. Fabia is built on PQ24 while the Polo-R is on modified PQ25 (modified for 4WD use etc.).

I thought both of them are PQ24

updated:

You are right, it was previous Polo

[Sulland]

And I guess the new 2013 Fabia will be on the new PQ25 platform ?

[Mirek]

Probably yes but it doesn't really matter for rallying as Fabia III most probably won't exist in any variant close to Polo WRC.

[Sulland]

So no chance for a Fabia R4T in 2013? If so does that mean goodbye to Skoda Motorsport

That would be too bad?

[Mirek]

Don't get me wrong. R4T is supposed to be completely different thing than WRC, not like current S2000. It will be a car with stock bodyshell, no bodykit etc.

But we are off-topic...

[uranium]

Don't get me wrong. R4T is supposed to be completely different thing than WRC, not like current S2000. It will be a car with stock bodyshell, no bodykit etc.

But we are off-topic...

It's very interesting topic. Let's separate it. What do you think?

[RS]

It will be a car with stock bodyshell, no bodykit etc.


Good job that the Fabia3 shouldn't be so ugly in stock form then!

[RS]

It's very interesting topic. Let's separate it. What do you think?

Already is one: http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/147200-development-s1600-4wd-rallycar-2013-a.html

[tfp]

Ogier-champion of champions! I wonder if the reason why Loeb wasnt there was because Ogier was competing?

[gravelman]

Ogier-champion of champions! I wonder if the reason why Loeb wasnt there was because Ogier was competing?

Seemed to be an abundance of german employed drivers, bit of closed shop it would appear, more designed to accommodate the circuit racing drivers than their poor cousins the rally drivers

[tfp]

Seemed to be an abundance of german employed drivers, bit of closed shop it would appear, more designed to accommodate the circuit racing drivers than their poor cousins the rally drivers

There were at least 3 german drivers, I thought there were only supposed to be 2 per nation. Nevermind, Ogier showed them up:-)

[wildsir]

I wonder why Ogier was there in the first place? Race of 'champions'?

[Hartusvuori]

I wonder why Ogier was there in the first place? Race of 'champions'?

Remember 2008.

[dimviii]

Congrats to Ogier.

[wildsir]

Remember 2008.

So why wasn't he there in 2008, think is more to do with VW.

[Hartusvuori]

So why wasn't he there in 2008, think is more to do with VW.

Of course it all to do with VW. Were all the drivers there champions this year? No.

[bluuford]

I wonder why Ogier was there in the first place? Race of 'champions'?

Ogier was Manufacturers Champion together with Loeb in Citroen;-)

[N.O.T]

he was s1600 champion.

[Plan9]

Ogier needed to be on hand to do a gymkhana in the Polo is nothing else. But also well done on the result!!!

[mousti]

Race of Champions is also not more what it was. And it has probably also to do with VW. Every car driven in competition was VAG supported I think?

[N.O.T]

the was a picture with the cars and i think i saw a KTM x-bow and a mustang.

the show has lost its character since long ago...

[Nornbugger]

There were at least 3 german drivers, I thought there were only supposed to be 2 per nation. Nevermind, Ogier showed them up:-)

did you count the Brits?

[mousti]

the was a picture with the cars and i think i saw a KTM x-bow and a mustang.

the show has lost its character since long ago...
Don't know that the Mustang has been driven in competition? But the Xbow's engine is VAG produced.

[wildsir]

Of course it all to do with VW. Were all the drivers there champions this year? No.
My point exactly.

[Nornbugger]

My point exactly.

I dont get your point, they never were all champions, right from the very 1st running of this

[jbmarcus21]

First Gravel Test with Sebastien Ogier & Polo WRC [Photo] Image (http://bit.ly/t3oXeT) & [Vidéo] Gravel Test VW Polo R WRC Sebastien OGIER - YouTube (http://bit.ly/t1aZpC)

[N.O.T]

i think i have seen this road on mini and citroen testing as well...