Sebastién Ogier insists he does not want to speculate about how Ott Tänak’s relationship with Toyota broke down, leading to the new world champ signing with Hyundai.
Ogier did though admit that Tänak’s decision was a surprise. However, the Frenchman will now try to end his WRC career with a seventh title at Toyota after opting to leave Citroën.
"I'm not sure we need to use this word, 'surviving,' I don't see it like this,” Ogier said, when asked how he intended to survive his season with Toyota.
"I had some quick discussions with Ott, like everyone we all got a bit surprised to see he was leaving this team where he got the championship for the first time. But, at the end of the day, you cannot share all of that. You have to make your own experience. For me, honestly, I'm looking forward to working with the team. Tommi was my childhood hero."
He confirmed that his Toyota deal covers just one season and that his plans to retire at the end of 2020 remain on course.
"It's a one-year contract,” the six time WRC champ said. "My plan hasn't changed. And, of course, I would still love the last title, especially with a third different brand, but that's not really the thing I have in mind when I start the season. What I have in mind is, yes, of course, I am a fighter and a winner and when I start the competition, I start it to win it.
"I'm not thinking this is the last chance or anything like this. I had an already amazing career, and anything I can add on to that would be great."
Ogier joined team-mates Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä and Katsuta Takamoto in the French Alps last week as Toyota continues its 2020 preparations by testing for the Monte Carlo Rally.
Rovanperä, 19, was first to test the Yaris WRC before Evans got his first taste of Toyota power. Ogier was scheduled to run later, ahead of Katsuta.
