Despite the obvious disappointment though, Ogier is now trying to consider the positives of the North American event. And the most important factor that makes him optimistic for the future 11 events on the calendar is that he was faster than his teammate. Or at least that's what he argued, considering that he matched Loeb's stage times despite being first on the road.
“I was pushing hard, I had to clean the road and I wanted to stay in the fight, it can happen. I played the game and this time I lost,” said Ogier about his mistake in the opening stage of the Sunday running, according to Autosport.
“I'm sure that, this weekend, I was faster than him compared to my road position. I was still in the fight. With the same conditions [as Loeb] I think I could be faster than him so that is good, but for me the season is still very long. (...) I've got a lot of motivation to continue to push, there are still 11 rallies left.”
Additionally, one more positive effect – if we can call it so – of his retirement in Mexico is the fact that he dropped to 6th overall in the championship classification, which will give him a great road position in the upcoming Rally Portugal. Starting Day 1 of the Faro based event 6th will give him a much cleaner road ahead, which will undoubtedly play well for his strategy throughout the weekend. Portugal is where he recorded his first win in the WRC, last year.
As for the points he'll have to make up in the overall classification, Ogier is 31 points behind leader Mikko Hirvonen.
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