Outspoken Ogier slams Hyundai boss for alleged “mean tactics”

After fuel-related problems on the opening day left Hyundai drivers Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo down the order, Adamo used the regulations to manipulate those cars into a starting position which would offer teammate Thierry Neuville a cleaner road.

Speaking in the post-event press conference in Matosinhos, Citroen star Ogier said he had no problem with those tactics, but then added: “But today we can be lucky or we can thank one man which is Dani Sordo, because there were some much more mean tactics were supposed to happen.

“But luckily he [Sordo] refused. I got the information, not from any drivers – I have my sources – that this great gentleman that is Andrea Adamo ask him [Sordo] to stop in the stage and start in front of Kris [Meeke]. That was really mean.”

Ogier offered Motorsport.com a further explanation, adding: “It was in the first stage this morning. In the stage, I don’t know which point, he [Sordo] was supposed to pull over in the stage; take the start then pull over and this would give Thierry a four-minute gap [with no dust]. It’s OK, but then to restart in front of Kris… you then f**k Kris because he would be in the really bad dust. That’s mean.”

Contacted for a response, Adamo told Motorsport.com he would not comment on such “low level accusations.”

Neuville finished the event in second place, one place ahead of Ogier – who retained his lead of the championship with a powerstage win.

Thierry Neuville, Nicolas Gilsoul, Hyundai Motorsport Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Photo by: McKlein / LAT Images