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Race report

VW's Ogier pleased with his performance in ROC final day in Bangkok

Good showing for the Volkswagen driver on the day before his 29th birthday on the Race Of Champions individual competition 2012 event in Thailand.

Sébastien Ogier

Sébastien Ogier

Race of Champions

Wolfsburg - Volkswagen works driver Sébastien Ogier (F) progressed confidently through the qualifying rounds and was involved in a thrilling duel in the final round, as he once again made a good impression in the individual competition at the Race of Champions.

Sébastien Ogier racing a Volkswagen Cup Sirocco
Sébastien Ogier racing a Volkswagen Cup Sirocco

Photo by: Race of Champions

While the defending champion won each of his three qualifying rounds (held in a knock-out format) by a comfortable margin, the rally driver lost out to eight-time Le Mans winner and eventual finalist Tom Kristensen (DK) in an extremely close quarter-final.

It was a rematch of the 2011 final, when Ogier defeated Kristensen to win the Race of Champions title on his first appearance.

Sébastien Ogier had already produced an impressive performance on Saturday. Racing as Team France alongside his compatriot and friend Romain Grosjean, he finished a very respectable runner-up – losing only once to serial winners Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany) in the final.

Grosjean took his own form of revenge on Sunday, winning the individual competition.

The format at the Race of Champions sees the ‘best of the best’ determined by a round of knock-out races in identical cars – including the Cup Scirocco used in the Volkswagen one-make cup in China.

Sébastien Ogier
Sébastien Ogier

Photo by: Race of Champions

The Volkswagen Polo R WRC also made a big appearance at the Race of Champions on Sunday, when it introduced a bit of WRC flair to the spectators in Thailand.

Sébastien Ogier will take confidence from his fine performances at the Race of Champions, as he prepares for the start of a new era: from 15th to 20th January, he and co-driver Julien Ingrassia (F) will line up with Volkswagen and the Polo R WRC in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time.

At the wheel of the second Polo R WRC will be his new team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN).

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director: “It is a shame that Sébastien Ogier did not get an early birthday present, as he turns 29 tomorrow. Despite this, he made a good impression competing against these motorsport greats.

The appearance of the Polo R WRC was also a success. The winding stadium circuit at the Race of Champions is ideal for World Rally Championship cars. It was great fun to watch.”

Sébastien Ogier (F), Volkswagen works driver: “That was close. Like last year, I did my very best. Unfortunately I was not quite as quick as in 2011.

In the quarter-final I missed out by the smallest of margins against Tom Kristensen, who just won his ‘home race’ in the Audi R8 LMS. However, I am happy that my friend Romain Grosjean won the Race of Champions. I am delighted for him.”

Volkswagen Motorsport

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