Six-time World Rally champion Sebastien Ogier says he has not demanded number one status at Toyota, following his move to the team from Citroen for 2020.
Toyota has an all new line-up this year, with M-Sport’s Elfyn Evans and WRC 2 champion Kalle Rovanpera joining Ogier for 2020.
Jari-Matti Latvala and Kris Meeke haven’t received renewed full-season deals with the team, while reigning WRC champion Ott Tanak has moved to Hyundai.
Despite the fact that Rovanpera is a rookie and Evans has yet to achieve success on par with Ogier, the Frenchman says he has not made any request to be the first driver or receive preference over his new stablemates.
Toyota driver Elfyn Evans says it would be wrong to assume he’ll automatically assume the role as Sebastien Ogier’s wingman when the new season gets underway in Monte Carlo next month.
“My approach at the start of the season is not about thinking how can my team-mate help me, my target is always to try to focus on myself and get the job done myself – that’s the most important,” said Ogier.
“And about the rest, you know I have never been asking at the start of the season to have any special status, we all deserve the same chance at the start of the season.
“Depending on what can happen through the year, the strategy can happen in the second half. “But in the first half we need to focus on ourselves and bring the best to the team.”
Evans was Ogier’s team-mate during the Frenchman’s title successes at M-Sport in 2017 and 2018, and often gave up positions or was used to help Ogier’s championship bids.
When asked about Ogier’s comments, he said: “I think pretty much exactly what Seb said.
“As far as I’m concerned we start the season on an equal footing and ultimately it’s down to me to perform.
“We’ll see what the second half of the season brings, but to be honest I’m only focusing on doing my best.
“Historically Toyota is a team which has focused on giving its drivers an equal opportunity and I’m confident that approach will remain.
“Basically, it’s down to me. I need to focus on what I’m doing and not think about the other stuff.
“I’m not thinking about the chances of winning this rally or that one, there are no target events specifically and it’s the same with the championship.
“My approach for Monte is to go there and make the best of the opportunity – that’s the approach for the rest of the year.”
Evans, Ogier and Rovanpera have all tested the Yaris WRC, ahead of the WRC’s curtain raiser in Monte Carlo on January 23-26.