Sebastien Ogier has no considerations over his health forward of a return to World Rally Championship competitors this weekend after a recce crash dominated him out of Poland.
The eight-time world champion has made a full restoration from whiplash-related accidents to his neck following a head-on collision with one other car whereas getting ready for Rally Poland final month.
The part-time Toyota driver, who has taken two wins this yr, has since undergone a number of medical checks and has been deemed match to compete on Rally Latvia’s quick gravel phases.
“If I am right here it’s as a result of I am again to good kind in any other case I can’t take the chance,” Ogier informed Autosport/Motorsport.com.
“Principally, it [the injuries] was the implications of the whiplash and naturally that takes a little bit of time to have a full restoration and typically we underestimate what the incidents can do.
“I’m on the level of my life the place I don’t wish to take further danger if I’m not feeling 100%, however anyway in Poland there was no likelihood for us to do the rally.”
Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
Ogier was again behind the wheel ultimately week’s Goodwood Pageant of Velocity the place he drove Toyota’s ‘Sebastien Ogier’ restricted version model GR Yaris street automotive after becoming a member of comic and actor Rowan Atkinson for a drive up the hillclimb course in a hydrogen-powered GR Yaris. The 40-year-old then stepped up his preparations by testing his WRC Rally1 automotive in Finland final Sunday.
“It was not as humorous as when he’s being Mr Bean, nevertheless it’s cool to satisfy him as a result of I’ve watched him like most of us have in some unspecified time in the future in my life and he makes me snicker,” Ogier mentioned of his Goodwood expertise with Atkinson.
“I informed him to maintain doing what you do, as a result of laughing is essential as we’d like that in our life. I discovered truly that he’s very captivated with vehicles and is an honest driver.”
This weekend’s rally is a brand-new check for the WRC and huge variety of the crews together with Ogier. The Frenchman is nevertheless relishing competing on unknown phases, which he feels represents pure rallying.
“I believe some sections needs to be enjoyable to drive this weekend. I might say my favorite phases could be the assessments on Friday phases,” Ogier added.
“I like new rallies, I like coming into phases the place you must take the tempo notes after which belief them through the race to be quick. For me that’s pure rally and never studying onboard movies by coronary heart.
“I believe the sensation within the Yaris is fairly good and I really feel comfy within the automotive. Nevertheless, we have seen just lately that the Hyundai may be very fast and possibly on pure velocity, the quickest in the mean time, however I nonetheless consider that we have now an opportunity to be aggressive anyplace, however will probably be a tricky battle.”
