World champion Sébastien Ogier has given the clearest hint yet that he will stay in the WRC in 2018.

His future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks. The rumour mill went into overdrive at last weekend’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland about where he will drive next year or whether he could retire.

After regaining the championship lead at the Saarland asphalt event, Ogier told WRC TV that while he has considered retirement, he would prefer to be back behind the wheel next season.

“It (retirement) is a possibility but it’s not depending about the title. The truth is I want to do a bit more, I think I will do a bit more,” he said.

“I have no pressure about that. I’m very relaxed and if I feel that I have a good opportunity to do something well again in the future, next year, and get everything I want, then I will continue probably.”

His deal with M-Sport World Rally Team expires at the end of this season. Ogier has previously said he could stay with the British squad, for whom he has won two rallies, if extra finance could be found to keep the Ford Fiesta at the head of the pack.

Ogier and his wife, German TV sports presenter Andrea Kaiser, celebrated the birth of their first child in June 2016 and the Frenchman admitted family life made it harder to prolong his career. 

“I’ve done many years now and it’s always becoming harder and harder to go out of home, especially when you have a kid. It’s a lot of travel, a lot of stress. I’m relaxed with this but the truth is I’m working on it to find a solution to continue. 

“There are offers. For many weeks I have said hopefully (I’ll have a decision) soon. I guess before the rally in Spain (5 - 8 October) we should know something,” added Ogier. 

source: wrc.com