Ogier vs Loeb – the battle continues in Monaco

Casino instead of Col de Turini, slicks instead of spikes, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup instead of Polo R WRC: when Volkswagen rally driver Sébastien Ogier next entertains the people of Monaco, it will not, for a change, be at the “Monte”, but as part of the support programme for the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. The Frenchman, who leads the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), will line up in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as a guest starter for the “Team Allyouneed by Project 1”. Three weeks after the Rally Argentina, the 3.340-km street circuit will host the next duel with record-breaking world rally champion Sébastien Loeb. It is the first time the two rally aces will have gone head to head on a tarmacked circuit.

Sébastien Ogier: “I am really looking forward to the Supercup race in Monaco. It will be a very special experience for me to experience Monaco from a non-rallying perspective for once. I sat in the Porsche for the first time last week at a test session in Hockenheim. Last year’s winner Sean Edwards gave me a few tips and I was coping really well by the end. I will obviously be keeping half an eye on Sébastien Loeb. The desire to be better is always there – but Séb has much more experience on racetracks. With that in mind, I will be trying to enjoy the weekend and, as always, do my very best.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director: “I was involved in establishing the Supercup with Porsche back in 1993, so I’m especially delighted to see Sébastien Ogier competing here in Monaco. I can’t wait to see how he does on the track in the Porsche. He demonstrated emphatically that he can adapt very quickly to any racing car when he won the Race of Champions two years ago. As such, I am very optimistic. For the fans, seeing two of the best rally drivers in the world out on the racetrack will definitely be one of the highlights away from the Formula One race itself.”

Since 1993, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has been the only Gran Turismo racing series to be held exclusively on Formula One race weekends. The flagship of the 20 Porsche one-make cups around the world has developed very nicely in this attractive environment. The car of choice for the first time this season is the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which generates about 460 hp (338 kW) courtesy of its 3.8-litre six-cylinder Boxer engine. Sébastien Ogier will drive a Pop Art Porsche with a special livery, courtesy of watch brand TAG Heuer.