Toyota confirms that Sebastien Ogier is fit again – His start at the Rally Latvia next weekend is confirmed – New rally for Ogier
Sebastien Ogier will be back on the grid at the next stop of the World Rally Championship. The WRC will make a guest appearance in Latvia from July 18 to 21. Toyota confirms that the Frenchman is fit and will be back in the line-up.
The Frenchman was involved in a traffic accident during the Rally Poland recce at the end of June. Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais escaped serious injury. However, Ogier had to spend a night in hospital.
When he was released, he was wearing a neck brace. In Poland, Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen took over the Ogier Toyota at short notice. The two Finns then drove to victory. Ogier is now fit again.
On Thursday, he drove a special road version of the Yaris at the Festival of Speed in Goodwood. Everything is also ready for the rally in Latvia. Ogier will be contesting this gravel rally for the first time ever.
“It was pretty unfortunate what happened during our preparations in Poland. Now, after some rest and good help from my medical team, I have recovered pretty quickly,” confirmed the eight-time world champion.
“I’m looking forward to being back in the rally car in Latvia. The challenge of a new rally is generally something I like. That is one of the reasons why we have included this event in our program.”
“The aim for us will be to quickly get a feel for the very fast roads after missing Poland. But I’m always looking forward to a new challenge and we’ll see what we can do.”
Toyota will attack with four cars in Latvia. These are Rovanperä/Halttunen, Ogier/Landais, Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin and Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston.
In the drivers’ championship, Evans is 15 points behind Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) in second place. In the manufacturers’ standings, Toyota is ten points behind Hyundai in second place