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Volkswagen Motorsport director Kris Nissen expects to see Sebastien Ogier to continue to punch above his weight in his lower-specification Super 2000 car.



Sebastien Ogier, a seven-time winner in the WRC, and co-driver Julien Ingrassia are contesting a full programme of world rallies in a Skoda Fabia S2000 alongside developing Volkswagen's Polo R WRC, which is due form the basis of the German make's attack from 2013.



S2000 cars give out approximately 20bhp less than the pacesetting World Rally Cars. Despite this handicap, Ogier set a third-fastest stage time on Rallye Monte-Carlo and ran in the top four overall.









Sebastien Ogier, Skoda Fabia S2000. (Photo: WRC)





Kris Nissen, who signed Ogier under a long-term deal, said: “Sebastien's speed was incredible on the opening stages [on Rallye Monte-Carlo]. This proves that we have signed a driver with great potential. I'm convinced that he'll be good for [another] big surprise during the world championship rallies this year.”



Sebastien Ogier will be joined in the Volkswagen line-up in Sweden by Norwegian talent Andreas Mikkelsen.



The 22-year-old is the reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion and earned his drive with the team after impressing when he was assessed on Neste Oil Rally Finland last July. He is due to test his Volkswagen-run Skoda in Sweden next Monday.

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Rally: Kris Nissen convinced Ogier will cause more surprises was originally published by AUTO123.COM - RSS. Read the full story by clicking here.