Sebastien Ogier will make a return to the World Rally Championship in Latvia after being declared match to compete following a reconnaissance crash that dominated him out of Poland.
The eight-time world champion and co-driver Vincent Landais escaped severe damage after being concerned in highway visitors accident whereas making ready pacenotes forward of Rally Poland final month.
Ogier spent an evening in hospital following the head-on collision with a highway automotive, earlier than being discharged sporting a neck brace. The Frenchman was pressured to withdraw from occasion together with his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 entry being taken over by two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera, who went on to win the rally.
PLUS: Why Rovanpera’s Poland win will be remembered as one of his great WRC drives
Ogier has since undergone additional medical checks after returning residence and on Thursday was again behind the wheel of a Sebastien Ogier version GR Yaris highway automotive on the Goodwood Pageant of Pace.
It was unclear if the Frenchman would return for subsequent week’s spherical in Latvia which was lately added to the 40-year-old’s partial WRC marketing campaign.
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Picture by: Toyota Racing
Nevertheless, Toyota has now confirmed that Ogier and co-driver Landais are match to compete.
“It was fairly unlucky what occurred throughout our preparations in Poland,” Ogier stated.
“Now after some relaxation, and a few good assist from my medical workforce, I may get well fairly rapidly and I’m trying ahead to being again in a rally automotive in Latvia. The problem of a brand new rally is mostly one thing I like and that’s one of many causes we added this occasion to our programme.
“The goal for us can be to search out the sensation for the very high-speed roads rapidly after lacking Poland, however I’m all the time excited for a brand new problem and let’s see what we are able to do.”
Toyota will area a four-car line-up for the WRC’s first go to to Latvia which is able to embody full-time drivers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta, and Rovanpera.
A complete of 10 Rally1 automobiles are set to participate with Hyundai represented by championship chief Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak and Esapekka Lappi. M-Sport will enter three Ford Pumas for Adrien Fourmaux, Gregoire Munster and residential hero Martins Sesks.