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Transcript of the post-tournament FIA Press Conference organised by the FIA for the 2021 Rally Croatia.

2021 Rally Croatia - Final Podium - Seb Ogier & Julien Ingrassia

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Présent:

Sébastien Ogier (FRA) – Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Elfyn Evans (GBR) – Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Thierry Neuville (BEL) – Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Group

Jari-Matti Latvala – Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

 

Q:

Let’s technique to you first Sébastien, and congratulations on winning the first Rally Croatia within the WRC after what modified into a thrilling final stage, the Wolf Energy Stage modified into reasonably fabulous. Repeat us what it modified into esteem to discover out you had sealed that hang?

SO:

Even as you occur to are alive to to know the reality I didn’t keep in mind it modified into that you just are going to be ready to instruct from now on. But you furthermore mght know that never stop and always are attempting. Initially I wished to no longer no longer up to protect my 2d jam and rating most aspects within the Energy Stage, that modified into my idea. But I suggested myself it modified into no longer ample because Elfyn modified into supreme flying on the first pass by within the morning. But this stage modified into supreme crazy, it modified into so slim, reasonably soiled on the 2d pass, about a jumps and it’s undoubtedly a jam the put variations can occur, extra than on a circuit-style stage esteem the lengthy one within the loop. On the conclude we supreme made it for 0.6s, which is supreme nothing. Finally within the moment I hang for Elfyn because he has carried out a first rate job this weekend however I judge we didn’t stole both this victory. Now we were reasonably real the total weekend. Some points indulge in unhurried us down at some aspects however the global level performance modified into supreme so I judge we are in a position to indulge in with that. And a truly powerful is it’s a one-two for the crew this weekend and, at this stage within the season that’s essential.

Q:

And you slither into the championship lead, which is very important?

SO:

I don’t know!

Q:

Yeah, you keep.

SO:

I’m no longer obvious if it’s supreme news since it’s gravel subsequent. But I’m always pleased to rating fine aspects then we have to tackle the relaxation the handiest we are in a position to.

Q:

It modified into against the prospects because there modified into an incident on the avenue part and we seen the hassle after you’d completed that final stage. How grand did that hassle hinder your rally this present day, did you ogle the loss of the aspect of that door?

SO:

The affect modified into psychological in actual fact, it modified into reasonably a shock within the morning in actual fact when it came about. I had a fine disaster in my help, it modified into silent reasonably a fine keep. Initially, I modified into pleased to judge about that nobody is injured and the actual person with whom we had the accident modified into accurate and it modified into supreme automobile hassle. Truly, within the moment, I opinion my rally modified into over. Fortunately the affect modified into straight on per chance regarded as one of many strongest aspects of the auto. It broken a piece the cosmetic however slack it, the wheel modified into straight and the rollcage modified into untouched and even the door, the foam security modified into in it so the safety modified into silent there. Handiest some leak the put Julien [Ingrassia, co-driver] had to the put this goggle akin to you see. He modified into getting lots of dust in his eyes. It’s been a hell of a slide for us this present day, a rollercoaster. Fancy I talked about, I don’t judge the auto modified into actually slower. One method or the opposite I modified into struggling a piece to indulge in the fling, esteem I talked about, potentially quite psychological also. Finally, the aerodynamic modified into undoubtedly no longer optimum however the relaxation is laborious to assert. On the conclude of the day, Elfyn had a real morning also, even without this subject for me it could perhaps perhaps were shut anyway. I judge this main Rally Croatia delivered a fine visual show unit and I am hoping the total fans enjoyed it.

Q:

Factual a instant word on the Energy Stage, all three of you looked as if it could perhaps perhaps also be on the passe edge of what modified into risk available. It modified into an agreeable bustle by that stage…

SO:

Yeah, it’s been esteem I talked about, this stage modified into a piece crazy, regarded as one of basically the most advanced stage we’ve carried out, I bet. It modified into a actually slim avenue, lots of microscopic jumps, crests, blind corners, soiled corners, some very low-grip part. It modified into the total thing in there and I had a final push for obvious, a microscopic moment also over a soar. I didn’t interrogate the auto to soar so grand and I almost misplaced it on the touchdown. But that’s the tactic in which it is if you play with the final tenths, or no longer it’s a must to push and take some dangers and we bought the reward out of it.

Q:

What a rollercoaster slide the Croatia Rally has been Elfyn, you took the lead throughout what were two actually real levels for you this morning. The day before this present day you talked about no longer having the bravery to push on the soiled sections of the levels on the different hand it looked as if it could perhaps perhaps also be quite a particular Elfyn Evans we saw this morning?

EE:

Obviously, I didn’t feel 100 per cent at ease at the launch of the rally. I played a pair of piece with the dwelling-up I judge esteem all americans else did to be suitable since it’s clearly a brand contemporary rally with contemporary challenges and prerequisites we haven’t actually confronted sooner than. As quickly as we bought that settled on Saturday afternoon I modified into feeling actually supreme within the auto to be suitable and enjoyed the levels this present day. It modified into a first rate morning, however I supreme fell instant at the final hurdle.

Q:

How tense modified into that on the Energy Stage, a microscopic mistake from you clearly rate about a seconds?

EE:

I don’t judge the accurate mistake rate that grand, it modified into supreme that there modified into this form of lengthy stage after it. It’s a must to withhold all that misplaced fling down that lengthy straight. It occurs. It modified into a piece extra slippery than I expected on that corner and that’s supreme most often how it goes. Fancy Seb talked about most often or no longer it’s a must to take about a dangers in repeat for you to dwelling the events, in particular with things as shut as they are and most often it doesn’t determine which it didn’t keep for us this present day.

Q:

What can you take faraway from this tournament by what you’ve realized concerning the performance of the Yaris on Tarmac?

EE:

Obviously, it’s the first time for all three of us to sample the auto on a fats asphalt rally. So there modified into a piece to get to grips with and clearly the contemporary Pirelli tyre as neatly to adapt to. Though if you are going to also indulge in two days of testing and also you are feeling reasonably supreme with the auto there’s nothing esteem rally prerequisites and clearly the air pollution and how the auto reacts to the assorted surfaces. The fling of the auto has been real and the crew has carried out a first rate job.

Q:

The word rollercoaster modified into talked about to Elfyn and it feels esteem it has been that this weekend, all three of you are going to also indulge in led the rally and also you had this form of real day on Friday. Unfortunately, the turning point came with the sinister tyre different and also you’ve had to fight help since?

TN:

As you talked about it modified into actually a rollercoaster for us this weekend. We had some actually fine levels, however we also had some correct disappointments. Plenty of things came collectively however at the conclude we supreme overlooked out by a microscopic, a potential victory. So we have to analyse why such errors were carried out and enhance that for the future. Very most often we are very shut to fight for the victory or 2d or third jam and each time we lose it by about a seconds or tenths. That’s clearly tense however, on the assorted hand, I also know that I’ve taken basically the most out of the auto this weekend. I modified into actually the handiest driver within the crew to dissipate with the rate of Sébastien and Elfyn. I modified into agreeable on the threshold the total time and most often over the threshold as neatly. But it indubitably’s one other podium, a third consecutive podium within the season and real aspects and P2 within the championship.

Q:

2nd jam within the championship and aspects within the bag for the championship are a truly powerful, how did you launch the day to your thoughts since it modified into 10s between three drivers this morning, anything else will indulge in came about available and did you suspect, realistically, there modified into silent a shot of the hang?

TN:

There’s always of endeavor and we all know what can occur in rally. We saw it sooner than the launch of the first stage already with the incident on the avenue part what came about. The rally isn’t very any longer over till we elevate the auto help within the parc fermé. Every part modified into initiate so I pushed from the starting, clearly no longer ample on the first two levels, we had a actually real third stage and within the Energy Stage I supreme pushed that microscopic bit too grand and I misplaced some extent there. But, at the conclude, by characteristic-shimmering no alternate for us.

 

Q:

Turning to Jari-Matti Latvala, a one and two for the crew, which is extremely essential for the Producers’ Championship as neatly because the Drivers’, clearly, however some heart-stopping moments throughout this present day, in particular on that final Energy Stage. What’s your reaction at the conclude of all of it?

J-ML:

Initially, I must assert thank you to the blokes, they did an fabulous job. It modified into fabulous to judge about them combating and all these three guys this present day were below the fight and it’s no longer easy to witness you know. There is nothing what you are going to be ready to keep and your heart is pumping. You judge about and Thierry did a microscopic mistake and also you know Seb and Elfyn are coming and also you hope they don’t keep the same mistake. It’s very advanced to be there. Fancy I talked about it’s very thrilling, however you are going to be ready to’t react, you are going to be ready to’t keep anything else, you supreme must wait and see what comes up. Fancy I talked about they did actually an fabulous rally.

Q:

You had an irregular scenario this morning with what came about to Seb on the avenue part. Is that entirely finished now that chapter or will there be any repercussions from that?

J-ML:

Fancy Seb talked a pair of truly powerful ingredient is nobody modified into disaster. From that aspect the total thing is okay. But it indubitably would be that we want some minutes to focus on about with the organisers a microscopic bit about it. I’m obvious the total thing shall be sorted out.

Q:

It modified into a dinky disappointment for what came about to Kalle Rovanperä on the first stage of Friday morning however has the reality that these boys bought a one-two made up for that?

J-ML:

Yeah, entirely. Let’s assert Kalle is a younger gun, he has the rate, however he doesn’t indulge in so grand trip within the World Rally Automobile and I judge he modified into a piece too like a flash for that indulge in and modified into paying reasonably a fine penalty. On the assorted hand, he’s going to indulge in a tremendous avenue characteristic for the gravel rallies and we are in a position to see him fight help. That is rallying and anything else can occur. On the conclude now we are actually pleased with what we have completed from this rally.

Questions from the bottom

Jason Craig, Autosport (GBR)

Q:

Sooner than this rally you talked about leading the WRC after the Croatia Rally could no longer be this form of first rate situation supplied that 5 consecutive gravel rallies now apply. Became this within the help of your thoughts this weekend and are you now pleased to be at the conclude of the standings going into Portugal?

SO:

Truly, fine, it modified into within the help of my thoughts because at this point within the season… my target modified into seriously to be on the rostrum. Because both jam you are on the rostrum indulge in some supreme meanings. Even as you occur to know, clearly, that’s the handiest, and that modified into the ingredient I attempted basically the most to get. But I judge I’d indulge in settled for a podium consequence if essential. It formula you are silent very shut to the lead and also you don’t must initiate the avenue on the following gravel tournament. The three of us will indulge in this present day the put we are now and it’s a lengthy technique to slither, silent many rallies and many supreme fights, completely.

Q:

Can you sum up what it modified into esteem to drive on the Croatian roads this weekend?

SO:

It’s been an fabulous rally. After the recce we all announced that it’s going to be a fine predicament however potentially supreme enjoyable to drive. The Croatia Rally undoubtedly delivered. In my belief, however I’m obvious my colleagues would be a part of me, it’s been fine to drive these levels and I’m so pleased the climate modified into so tremendous because on the rain condition it could perhaps perhaps were actually on ice the total weekend. But with these prerequisites it’s been fine to drive.

Gregor Pavšič, Avto Fokus (SLO)

Q:

Referring to the incident with the native automobile and the police, how are the talks going with the police and what’s occurring with the reality you drove faraway from the scene, is there going to be a penalty?

SO:

From myself I’m extra than pleased to account for one additional time the total thing that came about. Fancy I assert, I modified into very pleased nobody modified into injured this morning. Finally, there modified into quite confusion within the moment because we discussed for a while and defined the total scenario and gave the total datas to the police. But the sterling subject I’d assert is that he policemen were no longer talking any English so it modified into no longer that straight forward. And at some point soon, regarded as one of them gave me the signal to slither and then his colleague talked about ‘no’ so that you just are going to be ready to see this video what we are talking about. But it indubitably’s all-obvious and we are going to account for that one additional time and undoubtedly I’m no longer any individual who runs away. After the incident I supreme checked all modified into okay and we gave our riding licences, the total thing. We would indulge in that this present day, it’s handiest automobile hassle and we are in a position to resolve what wants to be solved tonight.

FIA WRC2 CHAMPIONSHIP

Demonstrate:

Mads Østberg (NOR) – TRT World Rally Group

Q:

Mads, let’s launch with you since it’s been your first rally help within the WRC and the defence of your title. It’s bought off to the handiest that you just are going to be ready to instruct launch…

MØ:

Yeah it is ultimate technique to launch our season and a first rate tournament as neatly. I modified into actually aroused to be help within the enviornment championship however I must assert it’s been anxious to be a driver some other time since it’s been a laborious weekend, on the different hand it modified into actually tremendous to be help competing. Our rally modified into ultimate to be suitable. We were leading from reasonably early on and we have dwelling some actually supreme fling after we had to. For obvious there modified into some actually fine combating throughout the rally and it modified into never obvious what could perhaps be the conclude consequence. But it indubitably felt actually supreme to technique to the conclude with a hang clearly. 

Q:

Even as you occur to had a fine lead yesterday after Nikolay Gryazin had his scenario errors began to glide into your riding if you began to sit down down help…

MØ:

It’s no longer a rally the put you will need sit down help to be suitable. It modified into grand extra refined and I didn’t get pleasure from the rally after the fight modified into over and it modified into all about attending to the conclude. From that point when Nikolay modified into out of the fight we had this form of healthy lead and we were supreme managing the rally from there to the conclude.

Q:

What did you suspect of the Croatia Rally, were you vastly surprised with what you saw available?

MØ:

We clearly had quite data sooner than coming to the tournament, however I judge it modified into actually tremendous to judge a pair of brand contemporary tournament. We are inclined to slither to contemporary locations, however you are going to be ready to always examine it to something since the bottom is comparable or the personality of levels, however this modified into something impress-contemporary. I haven’t considered levels esteem this sooner than and for me I opinion it modified into very supreme and I actually enjoyed the predicament, making contemporary pacenotes and riding on this particular Tarmac, which is esteem ice in some locations. I’m no longer dilapidated to that and I felt it modified into a fine predicament and it modified into actually tremendous to judge concerning the personality of the rally, which in my watch modified into very, very queer.

Questions from the bottom

Reiner Kuhn, Motorsport Aktuell (DEU)

Q:

Mads, are you going to compete in Portugal?

MØ:

Sure.

FIA WRC3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Demonstrate:

Kajetan Kajetanowicz (POL)

Q:

Coming subsequent to Kajetan Kajetanowicz and to what modified into a capable hang in WRC3 after an fabulous fight, you will need be contented?

KK:

Sure, fine, to be suitable we didn’t interrogate this form of annoying weekend. We’re mindful about it shall be a actually refined rally because we have considered movies of the recce and we knew grand extra. But for me on the dry roads it modified into entirely advanced because I had the check on the wet roads and I attempted to diagram my fling on dry roads. I didn’t know wherein method I must slither alongside with the dwelling-up and that’s why I’m actually pleased to be here within the first characteristic. But we must keep grand extra because we see within the final stage the gap modified into actually, actually fine. But, okay, I didn’t push at 150 per cent, however I do know I must be grand quicker if I are alive to to fight for the victory within the World Rally Championship in my category at the conclude of the season.

Q:

What did you judge about modified into the toughest predicament available this weekend, Kajto?

KK:

Indubitably the bottom, the grip modified into changing the total time. In one corner the bottom modified into changing two or three events. That modified into undoubtedly the sterling scenario for us because we haven’t bought a gravel crew and in repeat for you to push or no longer it’s a must to take a fine risk within the scenario. But, okay, these are the guidelines and we take it. Presumably it’s why it’s extra thrilling to push if you don’t know what to have a examine for within the center or on the exit of the corner. That prospects are you’ll additionally honest must be focus and indulge in a lengthy neck and your eyes ought to be very initiate. That modified into very, very thrilling rally and I’m actually pleased to be here.

Questions from the bottom

Reiner Kuhn, Motorsport Aktuell (DEU)

Q:

Kajto, are you going to compete in Portugal?

KK:

Sure.

Mikolaj Sobol, Rallypl.com (POL)

Q:

What modified into your attitude sooner than the Energy Stage, did your trip on Rally Estonia final season have an effect on you?

KK:

Sure! I modified into alive to on this sooner than. The idea modified into to know in our category however at the same time I modified into alive to on the final stage in Estonia. It’s always laborious to keep it. For me the Energy Stage is esteem an even bigger tension than sooner than the launch of the rally. It’s supreme for spectators, however, for us, it’s very annoying and advanced. That prospects are you’ll additionally honest must withhold the tension from the launch to the conclude however we have three aspects and it’s no longer too detrimental.


Q:

Did the bottom remind you of Barum Czech Rally Zlín on which you are going to also indulge in competed within the European Rally Championship some other time and some other time?

KK:

We can examine these roads to the Barum Rally however we also indulge in some roads in Poland, very slim roads with many crests and slippery Taramc however no longer esteem here. To be suitable, this Tarmac is actually slippery, it’s laborious to assert how grand. Even if it’s dry it’s slippery and that’s we drove on medium tyres some other time and some other time and no longer on laborious tyres. Slippery esteem on ice, I’d esteem to assert something extra however I will be capable of’t keep it.

FIA JUNIOR WRC Championship

Demonstrate:

Jon Armstrong (GBR)

Philip Hall (GBR)

Q:

Turning to Jon Armstrong: your first Junior WRC hang on what has been a actually advanced tournament available. After an fabulous fight, how pleased are you to be sat in that seat agreeable now?

JA:

Yeah, it’s fabulous. Sweden in 2020 I had that extensive accident and we sat out the relaxation of the Twelve months. Truly after that crash I didn’t know if I modified into going to slither rallying some other time. It modified into a provoking crash and I didn’t indulge in a correct funds to return within the championship and get the self perception some other time. But by the make stronger of family, guests, girlfriend, they wished me to are attempting because they are mindful about it makes me pleased. Working for Codemasters I knew the different modified into potentially there to are attempting to get funds. It’s been a lengthy fight to are attempting to get that funds approved however in the end I modified into ready to diagram help. It’s a fine-tricky rally, we didn’t keep any testing with the Rally4 automobile beforehand, it’s the first rally me and Phil [Hall] indulge in carried out collectively, ever, so it modified into actually annoying. I learned it so tricky on the recce because these roads are so assorted and each stage is assorted from one one other. You’re attempting to inspire a watch on what you’re making so it’s no longer too ambitious, however you will need slither like a flash. It modified into a actually anxious week, on the different hand it paid off and it’s fine to know this rally. I wouldn’t indulge in talked about that modified into that you just are going to be ready to instruct beforehand, however we were orderly and we tried to protect out of agonize. Once the self perception modified into there, I felt esteem I could perhaps push and the events were supreme. And, within the conclude, we carried out a first rate ample performance to know so I’m pleased.”

Q:

It ought to be a real self perception boost after coming help from that accident final Twelve months, keep you are feeling a piece assorted now you’re help in action successfully?

JA:

Yeah, it’s been actually supreme to know however there are some very like a flash drivers in this category and I do know I must withhold bettering. If I’m going to know the championship I must determine how I’m in a position to slither quicker because I are mindful about it’s going to be a fine predicament. We’ve made a first rate launch however I also must be quicker and smarter, discover the performance and protect out of agonize since the Junior WRC is all about attempting to protect out of agonize and slither as like a flash as you are going to be ready to however then you undoubtedly’ve bought these stage-hang aspects that could actually complete up per rally. For obvious I must be quicker because the season goes on.

Q:

Turning to your co-driver, Phil Hall, a impress-contemporary partnership for what modified into a actually advanced tournament, how modified into that relationship within the auto between you each and each?

PH:

It’s going actually neatly. We’ve identified every assorted for years, we competed against every assorted for reasonably a truly very lengthy time and we’ve been guests for a while as neatly so he bought contact throughout Covid after Jon’s accident and the different arose to keep some work collectively, practically as neatly as within the auto. We keep lots of work and preparation into this season as neatly as this rally however over the get, however we’ve no longer been ready to meet up with every assorted as a result of what has been occurring within the enviornment. After we came to this rally it modified into actually supreme to judge about how that has translated correct into a fine relationship within the auto already. There are about a things we are in a position to work on and invent the total time however we are in a position to keep those things sooner than the following rally in Portugal on the different hand it modified into a actually promising launch.

Q:

How busy modified into it out on the levels?

PH:

It modified into a fine predicament and I actually appreciated it, actually. I always enjoyed Corsica, which is a identical level of offer could honest silent we assert and once I’ve diagram here I’ve actually enjoyed the predicament of getting those notes out as like a flash as you are going to be ready to. Even as you occur to judge about at WRC co-drivers or no longer it’s a must to aspire to that level of offer while you are within the Rally4 vehicles and we’re having a judge about at that.


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