Sebastien Ogier: Winning sixth WRC title ‘won’t change my life’ – WRC

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M-Sport’s Sebastien Ogier says he can be a “little more relaxed” in this weekend’s World Rally Championship title decider in Australia because a sixth title “won’t change my life so much”.

Ogier heads into the the final rally of 2018 with a three-point lead over Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, with Toyota driver Ott Tanak 20 points behind Neuville.

Neuville and Tanak are yet to win a WRC title and Ogier believes his experience can be an advantage.

“We all have experience now, maybe I have a little bit more than them,” said Ogier.

“But the only thing that I really have [over Neuville and Tanak] is the titles, and that gives me the chance to be a little bit more relaxed.

“Of course, if I get a sixth one it will be nice, but it won’t change my life so much – it’s not like winning the first one.

“I have a small advantage for that, but the pressure is on.”

Ogier began the Australia weekend by going fastest in the Wedding Bells stage shakedown.

But the Frenchman knows that the running order will harm his chances in the opening stages, unless the forecast of rain proves true.

“If it stays dry, it won’t be an easy start to the rally for me,” he said.

“I will suffer from being first on the road.

“I always hope there will be some humidity Friday morning on the road, otherwise I expect to lose time.

“But if there’s more rain coming in the weekend, then it can become a very challenging rally.

“If it’s changeable weather, it’ll be changing for everyone. In these conditions, of course it will be tricky. But that’s rallying. We’ll have to handle it well.

“I would prefer these [wet] conditions over it being dry, because if it’s dry clearly I’m going to suffer at the start of the rally and it’s clear that it makes it harder for me.

“If it rains, it’s hard for everyone.”

Rain is currently forecast for all three days of the event, with chances of rainfall ranging from 40% on Friday to 80% on Saturday.



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