Hyundai’s WRC program manager, Christian Loriaux, has slammed Toyota’s decision to deploy Sébastien Ogier in all four remaining rounds of the 2024 World Rally Championship as a clear sign of desperation. The move comes after Ogier’s recent triumph at the Secto Rally Finland, which propelled him to second place in the drivers’ standings and put him within striking distance of Hyundai’s championship leader, Thierry Neuville.
Ogier, an eight-time world champion, has been a part-time participant this season but is now expected to compete in every remaining rally, a shift that Loriaux views as Toyota’s attempt to salvage its title defense. Toyota has dominated the WRC in recent years, clinching every drivers’ title since 2019 and every manufacturers’ championship since 2020. However, with Hyundai currently leading the manufacturers’ standings by 20 points, Loriaux believes Toyota’s strategy reflects the immense pressure they are under.
“A Desperate Move”
Speaking candidly, Loriaux didn’t hold back in his assessment of Toyota’s tactics, suggesting that Ogier’s participation in all upcoming rallies is a move born out of necessity rather than strategy.
“If he went to a rally he doesn’t like [Finland], it clearly shows that Toyota are on the back foot, that they really are stressed and that the only way to get back at us is to bring all the Armada,” Loriaux stated. “In that sense, it’s very clear that the reaction is a reaction of people desperate and under pressure.”
Loriaux welcomed the pressure on Toyota, seeing it as a validation of Hyundai’s performance this season. “It’s good for me to see them pressurized, and that’s our job, to try to fight the opposition,” he added.
Hyundai’s Unexpected Gains
The summer’s trio of fast gravel rallies in Poland, Latvia, and Finland were anticipated to favor Toyota, yet it was Hyundai that came out on top, outscoring their rival by 19 points in Finland despite Ogier’s victory. This unexpected turn of events has further fueled the tension between the two teams as the championship battle heats up.
With Toyota trailing by 20 points and the next rally in Greece—where Toyota has a strong track record—Loriaux remains cautious but optimistic.
“It’s still a very long championship and it’s open. I think everybody should be happy to see a tight championship like this,” he concluded.
As the WRC season enters its final stages, the rivalry between Hyundai and Toyota is set to reach new heights, with both teams pulling out all the stops in their bid for championship glory.
Photo from Ogier Instagram
