OGIER LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH LANDAIS RECRUITMENT
Sebastien Ogier will have a new co-driver when the 2022 World Rally Championship concludes in Japan next week.
The 38-year-old has brought in Vincent Landais to replace Benjamin Veillas, who partnered Ogier to victory in Spain last month, his first in the WRC.
Ogier’s part-season in the World championship with Toyota this year was his first without long-term co-driver Julien Ingrassia following his fellow Frenchman’s decision to retire. He explained why Landais, 31, has been picked for his employer’s home event.
“This is a chance to prepare and evaluate some things for the future and to give an opportunity to Vincent, who is a talented and motivated young co-driver,” Ogier told WRC.com. “He has been working with us in our gravel crew and after this nice experience I am excited to compete in our first rally together and to see how it works out.”
Landais, who has been mentored by Ingrassia, said: “Seb and Julien have been like role models for every French driver and co-driver. Julien has been helping me a lot during my career, and I already had the chance to work with Seb as part of his gravel crew in Monte Carlo this year. Japan will be a big challenge with a lot to learn but I will try to make the most of this chance.”
Veillas added: “To win a WRC rally was a dream come true. It has not been easy to step into this role, which brings a lot of pressure and long hours. The decision to give an opportunity to a young and talented co-driver for Japan is one that I completely understand and fully support.”
Ogier is set to mount another half-season WRC campaign in 2023 although it’s not clear whether Landais will remain in the co-driving seat or be reunited with Pierre-Louis Loubet, for whom Rally Japan was never part of his programme in an M-Sport Ford Puma.