Nissen backs Ogier for more surprises

Volkswagen Motorsport director Kris Nissen says he wouldn’t be surprised if Sebastien Ogier continues to punch above his weight in this year’s FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia in his lower-specification Super 2000 car.

Ogier, a seven-time winner in the WRC, and co-driver Julien Ingrassia are contesting a full programme of world rallies in a Skoda Fabia S2000 alongside developing Volkswagen’s Polo R WRC, which is due form the basis of the German make’s attack from 2013.

S2000 cars give out approximately 20bhp less than the pacesetting World Rally Cars. Despite this handicap, Ogier set a third-fastest stage time on Rallye Monte-Carlo and ran in the top four overall.

Nissen, who signed Ogier under a long-term deal, said: “Sebastien’s speed was incredible on the opening stages [on Rallye Monte-Carlo]. This proves that we have signed a driver with great potential. I’m convinced that he’ll be good for [another] big surprise during the world championship rallies this year.”

Ogier will be joined in the Volkswagen line-up in Sweden by Norwegian talent Andreas Mikkelsen. The 22-year-old is the reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion and earned his drive with the team after impressing when he was assessed on Neste Oil Rally Finland last July. He is due to test his Volkswagen-run Skoda in Sweden next Monday.