OGIER’S GOODBYE TOM-SPORT

As a metaphor, it couldn’t have been more powerful. Standing to sign posters, shake hands and share a memory with every member of M-sport’s Cumbrian workforce, Sebastien Ogier was troubled as he looked up and saw plenty left in line. His problem? The gold ink in his pen had run out.

As the six-time champion signed out of Dovenby Hall for the last time, there was a reluctant acceptance that he was taking with him the chance for this team to write its future in gold.

The gold pen was replaced with a black one. And black’s not a bad option for M-sport in 2019. After bankrolling Ogier’s global glory for 24 months, fiscally speaking, back to black is commercial common sense for the Cumbrians.

Not that anybody was thinking in those terms last Monday…

Malcolm Wilson had seen this moment coming two months earlier, at Wales Rally GB’S post-event press conference. Asked about saying goodbye to Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, the M-sport team principal thought about his response. Then shook his head.

It was too early to talk about that. There was still a title fight going on.

“You know what I’m like,” he says. “I’ll only start getting all emotional. I’ll put that one off for a while.”

Last week, the moment arrived. It could be put off no more. It was time to say goodbye.

Normally, such events are a private affair, kept between MW and 250 or so of his staff. This time, we were allowed in – on the proviso that we kept a lid on anything too close to the bone.

No need. The abuse was neither harsh nor particularly free-flowing. Not that Ogier and Ingrassia deserve any kind of a hard time, quite the opposite. It’s more that M-sport, like any other team in the service park, can be merciless when it comes to taking the Mick. Talking of Mick, there might have been the odd – hopefully modified – picture of M-sport’s drivers’ friend Mick Maunder being fairly attentive to Ogier’s needs.

Co-ordinated by Rich Millener – a west country boy who headed north to wash bottles and ended up thinking he’s marginally funnier than he really is – and hosted by Howard Davies, the afternoon was packed with laughs.

After a Monday morning making rally cars, lunchtime was spent converting Dovenby’s factory floor into a suitable venue for such a send-off. Lights, sound, chairs and champagne were all settled in the place where the hard yards were made in the delivery of Ogier’s successful title defence.

Two years ago, almost to the day, Wilson assembled his troops in the same place to thank them for their efforts through 2016. And, after finishing his speech – and with admirable comedic delivery – absentmindedly added: “Oh, yeah, I almost forgot… we signed Sebastien Ogier!”

Twelve months ago, the boys and girls were back for act two. This time Ogier and Ingrassia joined Wilson to say thank you. At that time, nobody in the factory knew whether the Frenchmen would be staying for another season or not. More theatre. “Do you have a contract?” Ogier asked Wilson, on stage.

Wilson pulled the paperwork from his pocket and, to heartfelt and rousing cheers, the then five-time champions signed on the dotted line to confirm they would remain colleagues with 250 very happy onlookers.

This time, there would be no rabbits. No hats.

Some of those who’d been present for the previous two performances feared the atmosphere might turn overly sombre, it might be too reflective this time around.

Not having been to either before, I was interested to see how a factory floor could generate any kind of atmosphere. It’s not what they’re made for. I needn’t have worried.

When Davies called Wilson, Ogier and Ingrassia through the door to the rallying cry of “Hands together for our world champions…” the place erupted. The roof raised. And Freddie Mercury’s well-worn words about paying his dues time after time were lost to a wall of noise and the hairs on the back of 250 necks stood to attention.

In the blink of an eye, the business end of Dovenby Hall was warmed with acknowledgment, admiration and appreciation.

Wilson got the ball rolling with the story of how he and Ogier first met. It was Marseille, 2011.

“Marseille Airport,” said Wilson. “Not the easiest place to get to, but it’s where he wanted to meet. So I went down there with one of the Ford executives working on the programme at the time. Certain things stick in my mind from that meeting, one being Sebastien asking the Ford executive: ‘So, if I sign for you, how many rallies will you be coming to?’ He put him on the spot straight away. He wanted to see the commitment.

“Unfortunately we lost the Abu Dhabi sponsorship later that season and it wasn’t possible to sign Sebastien. The next chapter came in 2016, just after Rally GB, when Sebastien agreed to come and test our car. He was happy enough, but the difficult part came next: negotiating with Seb. I can tell you, it’s not an easy job. But we got there in the end.

“Two years ago, they came in here for the first time. Immediately, you couldn’t fail but be impressed with the level of professionalism coming from Seb and Julien. They went right through everything. They had the tool kits out of the car and all over the floor, Julien was taking photographs of the positioning of the seatbelts, things like that. That gave us our first insight into what it took to become, then, a four-time world champion.

“The only other part of the deal which had to be done was an agreement that we would drink a bottle of Petrus wine at my house if we won the championship.”

Ogier leans forward to correct Wilson. “We had two [bottles]. And this time, this year, it’s me buying the wine!”

After films and funnies, Ogier and

Ingrassia wanted to say a few words.

Ingrassia led: “We are very happy to have worked with you and I wish you all the best, both privately and here in M-sport, you are really special, so thank you very much.”

Ogier followed: “Two years ago, we were having some hard times. The team where we achieved so much and worked so hard had a new car for the future, but suddenly it stopped. It felt like the world was falling apart for some days. But like every time in life when you have this kind of thing, you have to overcome them. And, at the end, it was one of the best things that happened to us because it gave us all the opportunity to meet all of you and to be part of this family. We discovered feelings I probably didn’t have before [in these two years]; everyone knows how much I respect Malcolm, but it’s the same for all of you guys. Thank you.” And then it started. Time to lighten the mood. And what better way to do that than with the outtakes from the staff farewell films. And what better way to close than with test team co-ordinator John Godber, looking quizzically into the camera with a question for Seb and Julien: “You do realise that Citroen’s full of f**king French people, don’t you?”

Roof already raised, that brought the house down. With that, and a farewell to M-sport’s favourite Frenchmen, they were gone. ■