TROPHY TIME: WORLD CHAMPIONS VOLKSWAGEN AND SÉBASTIEN OGIER ARE HONOURED IN DOHA

December 8, 2014 by Volkswagen Motorsport

◾Doha (Qatar) hosts festive highlight at the end of a successful WRC season

◾Volkswagen team presented with trophies for three WRC titles at FIA Gala

The World Championship trophy is on its way back to Wolfsburg: Volkswagen was in Doha (Qatar) to receive its three trophies for winning the Manufacturer, Driver and Co-Driver titles in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Last season, Volkswagen won rallies on four different continents on its way to wrapping up the Manufacturers' Championship at the earliest point in the season for 25 years. Sébastien Ogier (F) and Julien Ingrassia (F) also successfully defended their title in the Drivers' and Co-Drivers' Championships. Their team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) and Andreas Mikkelsen (N), navigated by his compatriot Ola Fløene (N), finished second and third overall.

The pairs that ended the season as World Champions, runners-up and third in the WRC attended the gala held by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), where they were presented with their trophies. Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer, Volkswagen Board Member for Technical Development, was on hand to receive the trophy for Volkswagen. 'Volkswagen can look back on a superlative season of rallying. Receiving the trophies at the FIA Gala was the icing on the cake and a festive highlight at the end of the motorsport year,' said Dr. Neußer. 'We are proud of what we have achieved and are already looking forward to next season, for which the preparations have been in full swing for a while already.'

Quotes after the FIA Gala in Doha (Qatar)

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director

'In 2014, we successfully overcame the major challenge of defending the World Championship title with an indescribable team spirit. We put together the longest winning run in the history of the World Rally Championship and won more rounds than any manufacturer before us. This will not make it any easier for us to challenge for the title again next year. We will once again be up against strong opposition. It will be almost impossible to surpass the awesome 2014 season, which yielded 12 wins from a possible 13 and first, second and third in the Drivers' Championship. However, that is precisely what we will be aiming to do.'

Sébastien Ogier, World Rally Champion, Drivers' Championship

'It was a fantastic feeling to win the title again, and it is an honour to stand on stage with some of the greats of our sport. Above all, however, I am delighted that Julien and I were able to back up last year's title win. It is amazing to fulfil your dream of becoming world champion. But it is even better to successfully defend the title. This season was definitely more difficult than last year, as we were embroiled in a thrilling duel with our team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila right down to the end of the season. I would obviously like to thank our team, as Julien and I had a perfect car at every rally, in the form of the Polo R WRC.'

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Julien Ingrassia, World Rally Champion, Co-Drivers' Championship

'It is always harder to defend a title than to win it in the first place. In 2014, we came through against the toughest opponents you can find in the rallying world: our team-mates, who lined up with exactly the same material as we did. As such, one of the best experiences this season was the knowledge that the team was always behind us and always allowed a fair contest between the crews. The team spirit at Volkswagen has no equal. For this reason, I would like to thank our team for the past year. Unfortunately I could not be in Doha to collect the World Championship trophy, due to my recovery. However, I am looking forward to seeing it on my shelf soon.'