The eight-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier has now confirmed he will be returning to the Toyota Gazoo Racing team piloting the shared third Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car at the 2022 Repco Rally New Zealand, a rally which is also making a return same as Ogier does.
Ogier, who is doing part-time driving duty this season, is alternating drives with Finn Esapakka Lappi in the third car. Lappi will contest this weekend´s EKO Acropolis Rally Greece while Ogier is set to do the following round in New Zealand.
Ogier has only done one start so far in New Zealand and that was back in 2010 for Citroen when he contested his second full-season for the French manufacturer in the Junior Team. The Frenchman was then on his way to claim his maiden WRC win but lost his glory due to a spin, which handed the win to his current Toyota Gazoo Racing team principal Jari-Matti Latvala.
“Rally New Zealand was at the top of the list of rallies that I wanted to do this year. I have only done this rally once before, but the rally itself is really beautiful. New Zealand’s roads are one of the best in the world for rallying and I fell in love with the diverse and beautiful nature of the country,” Ogier said.
“It was tough to take back in 2010 because I was chasing my first win, it is always a very important step in your career. I was lucky that three weeks later I had my first win at Rally Portugal so I did not have to wait too long.”
Joining the Toyota line-up for the rally will be the current championship leader Kalle Rovanperä from Finland and the Welshman Elfyn Evans while Takamoto Katsuta is joining outside the main factory team under the Toyota Gazoo Racing Next Generation banner.
