Sebastien Ogier penned a message for FIA WRC rival and colleague Ott Tanak, who is taking a step back from rally in 2026.
Before the end of 2025, I felt the need to share a few words about a piece of news I didn’t comment on when it first came out, but one that truly touched me. As you all know, Ott Tanak won’t be competing in the #WRC next year, and I think we can all agree that this is a real loss for our sport.
On a personal level, I will truly miss him. As a competitor, he was probably the one who pushed me the hardest, who forced me to dig deeper and go closer to my limits than anyone else throughout my career. But even more than that, I will miss him as a friend.
Ott, you are a great family man, someone I truly respect. I hope you enjoy every moment with your loved ones and embrace this new chapter with the same strength and honesty you’ve always shown. Life has a way of surprising us, and who knows what paths may still cross again. Maybe this is goodbye. Or maybe it’s simply see you later!
[The story is as per press release]
