CAFÉ RACER 76

Sebastien Ogier believes guiding the new Volkswagen Polo R WRC to the finish of its debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo is more important than chasing victory.

The Frenchman, who was sixth fastest in this morning’s snowy shakedown for the opening round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship, admitted that he really doesn’t know what to expect when the four-day rally starts tomorrow.

“Really, we don’t know,” said the 29-year-old. “This morning we didn’t learn anything, the conditions were changing all the time. It’s too early to talk about victory but we will do our best.

“Last year I pushed as hard as possible to see what is possible and we are interested to see the times. But I really need to finish this event. The team needs me to finish and it’s going to be difficult with these conditions,” he added.

Ogier also made clear that battling with former Citroën team-mate Sébastien Loeb was not a priority. The two drivers enjoyed some fierce battles in 2011 but with Loeb due to start just four rallies this season, Ogier does not want to become side-tracked from his goals.

“It would have been great to fight like two years ago, but it’s not like this, as he’s driving for a few events only. We won’t have to focus about him. We want to fight for the victories and the championship. At the moment I don’t know about my car, I just want to focus on my race and not anybody else,” he explained.

Day 2 of the 23rd annual Wrooom event started with the traditional riders meet the press interviews, and as usual it was Ducati’s CEO Gabriele del Torchio who took to the stage first to talk about Ducati in general and then about the changes in MotoGP management following the acquisition by Audi.

“Last year was very important for Ducati. We became part of the Audi group, and we set new records in terms of profits, sales and production. We opened up new markets and achieved a significant share in those markets. It wasn’t as positive from a sporting point of view, but our company’s motto is ‘Never give up,’ and with the ability to react that has always been one of our characteristics, we face 2013 with a new organization, ready to take to the track. Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Bernhard Gobmeier, who was recently appointed to run Ducati Corse. With his coordination and cooperation, I’m confident that we’ll do very well. Bernhard takes the place of Filippo Preziosi, who has my sincere thanks for the work he has carried out over the last twelve years, and who now has an important new role in Ducati. Furthermore, Paolo Ciabatti, who returns to Ducati after some years away, has been assigned to run the MotoGP project alongside Team Manager Vittoriano Guareschi. Welcome also to our riders, new addition Andrea Dovizioso and the returning Nicky Hayden, who together represent a formidable line-up that gives us confidence as we look to the future.”

Nicky Hayden is in his fith year with the Italian manufacturer and this is the fifth time that the American rider has taken part in the Wrooom event at Madonna di Campiglio.

“This year Wrooom is particularly special. In addition to seeing the faces that we already know, this is a good opportunity to start building relationships with the people we’ll be working with this season,” Hayden said to the press, also confirming that he’ll still have Juan Martínez as crew chief. “From a technical point of view, the new management hasn’t stepped into an easy situation, but they’re very motivated to reach our goals. I’ve met with Mr Gobmeier, and he strikes me as a very intelligent person, with many ideas about where he can help. It’s a completely fresh start for us, and although there’s clearly a big challenge ahead of us, it’s also an exciting one. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish. The future looks very good.”

However the American revealed that the 2013 bike will not be new and that they will be sticking to the aluminium frame and they still have understeer and turning issues: “We don’t have a ‘new bike’ as such, it hasn’t changed a lot from last year, but we’re taking small steps. The engine rule is obviously a hindrance, but I see this year as a ‘fresh’ start. The bike in Valencia was quite similar to the one during the season, and in Jerez we worked mainly on chassis. Now we’re looking to improve the test program and we have an extra test rider. We’re working on improving the engine management and generally make little steps.”

Andrea Dovizioso also met the press for the first time wearing Ducati red at the Wrooom event and he said, “It’s an honour to be here at Wrooom. It’s all organized perfectly, and it’s a great opportunity to get to know the Ducati staff better and meet many new friends. I was convinced to join Ducati in my first meetings with Filippo Preziosi because he made it clear that there are interesting plans for the future and that we can start to build something important together. We have the help of budget, technology and passion, all the ingredients necessary to attain our goals. Obviously, it will be up to us, the technicians and riders, to take the right path on where to improve the bike. If we work well, I’m certain that it will be possible in the future to fight for wins and the title. The competition is very strong, but I believe we can achieve this aim. It won’t happen right away, but we can do it. There’s no magic wand, so we have to—and we want to—keep our feet on the ground and work methodically. If it’s possible to achieve good results, I’m sure that we will. The first year will be challenging, but we mustn’t allow ourselves to be pressured to immediately get good results.”

The Italian also talked about the neck injury that kept him out of the three-day test last November at Jerez.

“I have a micro herniated C5-C6 in my neck. I had some problems in the Rally of Monza and in Jerez de la Frontera at the first corner, where it just locked up, I’m fine, even if the micro fracture is still there. It will take a bit more treating, but I’ll be ready for Malaysia. My first impression of the bike, however, was good. I expected a totally unmanageable bike after what I had been told, but it was not. At Jerez the neck problem stopped me, but now with six days in Malaysia, there will be time to figure out the Ducati.”