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Sebastien Ogier frustrated with 'stupid' Rally Sweden WRC error

World Rally champion Sebastien Ogier has called the spin that took him out of Rally Sweden contention "one of the stupidest mistakes" of his career.

Ogier, who won the Monte Carlo Rally on his debut with M-Sport last month, spent most of last weekend's Karlstad-based event in fourth behind Thierry Neuville, Jari-Matti Latvala and team-mate Ott Tanak.

Neuville's retirement promoted him to third and just 16 seconds from the lead before Sunday's final three stages.

However, Ogier spun at the beginning of SS16 which robbed him of a chance to fight for the win, leaving him third.

"I made one of the stupidest mistakes of my career," said Ogier.

"In the first corner [of SS16], 50 metres in, I caught a snowbank and spun, and then I stalled the engine and I knew my chances were over.

"I didn't even get the chance to try. My weekend was a difficult one but what I got from it is really good because 19 points I'm very happy with.

"It's a good step in the championship. The bigger picture of the weekend was positive for us."

While he lies second in the points after two rallies, four behind his former Volkswagen team-mate Latvala, Ogier said he is still not fully comfortable with his 2017 Fiesta after limited testing so far with M-Sport.

"I knew from the start of the season that I was going to start a bit behind the others," he added.

"I still struggle a bit with the car and struggle to find the perfect settings.

"But to see the results we get even when not having the best preparation is good.

"We have a really good base so let's see what [next round] Mexico brings and we hope to secure some points there."

Zdroj: autosport.com