Q&A: Sebastien Ogier

Here’s what Sebastien Ogier had to say after securing victory on Rally Italia Sardegna - his fourth win of the season.

Q: After disappointment in Greece is it good to be back to winning ways?

SO: “Of course, it feels very good. After the recce I said immediately I wanted to win, as it was two months without winning so I was missing the feeling so I think we did everything to do it.

“First I want to congratulate the team, they gave me a perfect car this weekend and of course we had a problem in Greece, but one in several rallies is not bad at all so I really want to congratulate them and we are very happy to get a victory. Now we can enjoy our holiday in the summer.”

Q: You led from the start and built up a comfortable lead early on. Did you feel much of a challenge from any of the drivers?

SO: “I think we had a very good management of the race. We pushed when we needed to and then we were a bit more cautious when it was a bit rougher for the tyres.

“But constantly we always increased the gap and that was the most important, and at the end we also got the points of the Power Stage, so I couldn’t expect better.”

Q: You seem to be the Power Stage King this year. Not that you need them at the moment as things are looking good for you for the Drivers’ Championship…

SO: “For sure for the moment things are looking very good and we are many points ahead of the second driver and we have six rallies to go, so it will not be enough to be Champions. I have to score more victories if I want to succeed.”

Q: The stages in Sardinia are not easy, but you made it look that way. Were there any problems at all during the weekend?

SO: “No there were not really any moments, it was a great race. Saturday morning on one of the fastest stages of the rally a cow wanted to cross the road but finally didn’t, so that was a good idea!

“Other than that it was a very good rally. There were a few rocks at the end of the Power Stage and one of the drivers in the front, I don’t know who - maybe my team-mate! - cut a bit too much some corners and I hit a stone and thought I got a puncture but I didn’t”