We already knew that Sebastian Ogier was going to step up to the factory Citroen team for 2011, but in a move that comes as a bit of a surprise, Ogier is getting the nod THIS season! For the rest of the gravel rallies this season, Ogier will drive as Loeb’s teammate on the Citroen Total World Rally Team while Dani Sordo will be demoted to the Citroen Junior Team. 
This is a huge blow to Sordo’s confidence and career. Sordo’s performance these past two seasons have been less than stellar, but we certainly didn’t expect any changes this season.
This change comes on the heels, and was likely precipitated by, Ogier’s win in Portugal. With this move, Sebastian Loeb is also put on notice. There’s absolutely no doubt that Loeb is and always will be the #1 driver on the team, however, the team may be more reluctant to ask Ogier to participate in tactics as boldly as they did in Jordan. That role may now be shifted to Sordo. Citroen still plans on having Sordo in a third factory ride for 2011, but as we’ve just seen, things can change. I for one would not be surprised to see Sordo being relegated to the Junior team full-time next season.
I had a good feeling that this was how Citroen was going to end the season. You cannot deny Ogier a seat on the factory team, I don’t care at what point in the season we are. This guy can flat out drive his tail off as was proven in Portugal. Loeb cannot afford to slip up at all because Ogier is in the cat birds seat for the rest of the year. You mess up and he wins. Ford has become really a non factor and I think these two (Loeb and Ogier) will make this a two dog race. Sordo can go drive with that drunk Finn guy…what was his name??? :-p
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