Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are overjoyed with World Rally Championship triumph
Overjoyed. That's the word Sébastien Ogier used to described the day he won the World Rally Championship with Julien Ingrassia, who had said it was 'possibly the best day of my life'.
The result of the opening stage of their home event, Rally France, means the Volkswagen works duo can no longer be caught at the top of the table, with two rounds to go until the end of the season.
The success sees Ogier and Ingrassia make motorsport history on several fronts at the wheel of their Polo R WRC. This is their maiden Driver and Co-Driver title in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).
Not only that, but it is the first time a new pairing have conquered the pinnacle of rallying, the WRC, for just short of a decade. At the same time, no driver or co-driver had ever been crowned World Champions whilst driving for a manufacturer making its debut in the World Rally Championship. With the Polo R WRC, Volkswagen is making its first appearance in the WRC in 2013, and has already exceeded all expectations in its rookie season. Volkswagen also leads the Manufacturers' Championship with three races to go.
"I am absolutely overjoyed," Ogier said. "I could give everyone in the world a big hug. The feeling is impossible to describe. To have won the World Championship title in France is an absolute dream come true. For the last few days I have been trying not to think too much about it, in order to avoid making any mistakes. The relief now is immense. As a little boy, I used to marvel at the cars and top drivers at the Rally Monte Carlo with my father in my home town of Gap - and now Julien and I are World Rally Champions. It is crazy. However, I am also well aware that rallying is a team sport. This success would never have been possible without our fantastic team at Volkswagen. Whether trucker, mechanic or race engineer, I have to thank everyone. One thing is for sure - we will celebrate in style now!"
Ingrassia added: "It is possibly the best day of my life - and definitely of my career! If anyone had told me at the start of the year that Séb and I would already be World Champions with so much of the season still to go, I would immediately have told them they are mad. We were so close in Australia three weeks ago, but now the title win is a reality."
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