Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier has finally broken his silence over why he has not tested Toyota's car built to next season's regulations. His absence from the testing programme had sparked widespread speculation that this could be his final season in the World Rally Championship.
His teammates Sami Pajari, Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, and Takamoto Katsuta have all had multiple outings in the new machine. Even 2019 champion Ott Tanak has had a go. But Ogier's name has been conspicuously absent from the development programme.
Speaking at Rally Finland, Ogier explained that his main reason is simply time. "First of all, I would say I'm busy. The main reason is that I'm busy enough competing in the current championship. I've done a lot of rallying this year, and that was planned," he said.
The Frenchman reiterated his long-standing decision not to compete full-time. "I decided a few years ago not to compete full-time and not to be too heavily involved, and that still stands. So the main reason was simply a question of time," he added.
But there was another, more intriguing reason. Ogier admitted that the early feedback on the new car hasn't exactly fired him up. "I think maybe the second reason is that the first comments I've heard don't sound super exciting either. So I'm focusing more on the current one," he stated.
When directly asked if he would be interested in racing the car next year, Ogier gave a very firm response. "I'm not answering that question," he said with a smile, leaving the paddock buzzing with speculation.
Ogier's stance is certainly a hot topic. Is this the beginning of the end, or just a strategic way to keep his focus? Either way, rally fans will be watching his next move closely.
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