Strong show from Ogier and Team France in the ROC Nations Cup

Wolfsburg (15 December 2012). Sébastien versus Sebastian: Volkswagen works driver Sébastien Ogier and his team-mate Romain Grosjean, competing together as Team France, finished runner-up in the Nations Cup at the Race of Champions. The French duo, who are good friends away from the track, were eventually beaten in the final by the German pairing of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. Schumacher/Vettel, who between them have won ten Formula One World Championship titles, won the Nations Cup for the sixth time in a row in Bangkok.

Ogier and Grosjean were in sparkling form right from the opening round-robin stage of the Nations Cup: four wins against the RoC Allstars, representatives from Central and North America, and the team from Great Britain ensured they finished top of Group A and progressed as group winners to the semi-final. Ogier/Grosjean came through a repeat of their earlier duel against the RoC Allstars – with eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen (DK) and MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (E) – 2:0 to qualify for the final. However, Schumacher and Vettel were not to be beaten today: Ogier and Grosjeam lost 0:2 against the Formula One world champions past and present. The Nations Cup saw the contestants go head to head in a series of direct duels in identical cars – including the racing version of the Volkswagen Scirocco, which is used in the Chinese one-make cup.

On Sunday it is every man for himself at the Race of Champions. One day ahead of his 29th birthday, Volkswagen works driver Sébastien Ogier goes into the knock-out competition between the best of the best as defending champion. The rally driver defeated Tom Kristensen in the final of the 2011 Race of Champions to win on his debut in the competition.

The Race of Champions offers Sébastien Ogier a final chance to get some race practice before 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), whose co-driver will be Mikka Anttila (FIN).

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director “It is really impressive what the Race of Champions has become. The finale between Germany and France in the Nations Cup presented this great event with its dream final today. Personally, I was torn who to cross my fingers for. Sébastien Ogier and Romain Grosjean produced a great performance. I am now looking forward to tomorrow, when the Polo R WRC will make its appearance against this beautiful backdrop. Then we will all be rooting for Sébastien again, who is out to defend his title.”

Sébastien Ogier (F), Volkswagen works driver “The Race of Champions is something very special. To come together and compete against all the greats of motorsport in this atmosphere is just great fun. One thing is clear, however: when we put on our helmets, we are going all out to win. We can be very happy with second place behind Team Germany. That gives me an extra boost ahead of tomorrow, when we go head to head in the individual competition.”

Volkswagen Motorsport