2021 will not have been too much of a season for the Ogier-Ingrassia pair.
On Sunday, the driver and his French co-driver won their eighth WRC world title at the Monza circuit in Italy.
At the end of a particularly tough duel with Elfyn Evans, his Toyota teammate, Sébastien Ogier crossed the finish line with finally more than seven seconds ahead of the Welshman.
After the impact of his front right wheel with a concrete block at the entrance of a chicane, Sébastien Ogier refocused on the real goal of the day, the world title and not the victory on Italian soil, to manage his limit switch.
In his stubbornness to reduce the mark, his first pursuer ended up in the straw bales after a failed turn.
In the standings, Evans finished 23 points behind the Frenchman.
WORLD CHAMPIONS 🏆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ # WRC @TGR_WRC pic.twitter.com/k6eX4qBfXF
- Sébastien Ogier (@SebOgier) November 21, 2021
This eighth coronation marks a golden decade for the French driver who has lost his world crown only once since 2013, during his brief return to Citroën in 2019. If his debut in the French team between 2008 and 2011 are not his most successful period, they have established Ogier among the top drivers of the WRC circuit. It was by passing under the German flag at Volkswagen that the Frenchman won his first world titles, four in a row to be exact.
Between 2017 and 2018, he continued his domination among the British M-Sport which put him at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta.
After a 2019 season ended on the last step of the podium, the Gapençais recovers his crown in 2020 under the Japanese banner of Toyota.
“The numbers are what I was aiming for when I started my career,” said Ogier after the race.
It was just winning, winning, winning.
Now, it's more the emotions, the people we met (…) I am proud of this journey and to be part of the history of a sport that made me dream as a child.
"
Loeb's unrivaled record?
Thanks to this new world title, Sébastien Ogier is only one unit behind his compatriot Sébastien Loeb's record.
Between 2004 and 2012, the latter had also reigned supreme over the World Rally Championships, gleaning nine titles.
The 38-year-old driver has however decided to withdraw from the WRC circuit to devote himself to his family as Julien Ingrassia officially retires.
"It's pure joy, I wanted to end my career with this joy," said the co-driver at a press conference.
We've done a great job since our very first steps together.
First podium, first victory and, little by little, we climbed all the levels.
"
Ogier will take part in the next season only partially, playing a few rounds chosen by his team.
The eight-time world champion is now moving more towards a career on the circuit and is also preparing to participate in the 24 hours of Le Mans.
