Ogier ready for WRC Acropolis Rally Greece

Toyota has confirmed that Sebastien Ogier will be part of the World Rally Championship line-up for the Acropolis Rally in Greece next month.

The eight-time world champion was due to take part in the gravel rally from September 5-8 to help Toyota retain its WRC constructors’ title.

Toyota has now announced the event’s entrants, with three GR Yaris Rally1s taking part, with part-time driver Ogier joining regular drivers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta.

The Acropolis Rally was part of Ogier’s partial season last year, where he finished tenth after leading the event. Unfortunately, a double rear puncture and a broken left rear suspension forced the Frenchman to retire on Saturday.

Ogier’s plans outside Greece have yet to be confirmed, but the Frenchman admitted in Finland that he is under pressure to compete in the remaining four events in Greece, Chile, Central Europe and Japan. He now sits second in the championship, 27 points behind Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville.

Ogier has competed in six events this year, winning three times (Croatia, Portugal, Finland) and finishing second three times (Monte Carlo, Sardinia, Latvia).

Speaking to Autosport after winning Rally Finland earlier this month, Ogier said: “I think we will feel more and more pressure to do that (the rest of the year and go for the title), but I don’t really have it in me yet, this desire, this feeling because I don’t find those things (titles) as important as people might think.”

Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, team principal Toyota Gazoo Racing

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Toyota team boss Jari-Matti Latvala told Autosport that he has asked Ogier to drive in more events and that he expects a decision from his driver soon.

“I’ve said to Seb that I want him to do more events. I’m waiting for his answer, but I think the chance that he’s in the championship now, since he’s second, we should try to keep the fight going and let him do all the events,” said Latvala.

“It is a very difficult situation, but we must at least keep trying. Without trying, we cannot win anything.”

Toyota heads to Greece 20 points behind rivals Hyundai in the constructors’ championship.