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Sebastien Ogier's dominant 2013 World Rally Championship season will not earn him preferential treatment next year, according to his Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala.

The Finn says he has assurances there will be no team orders in 2014, with the Polo pair allowed to fight through the season.

"We are both on an equal level," said Latvala. "There will not be a number one or a number two driver next season.

"This is what we have been told from the team: we will be allowed to fight."

In order to battle with Ogier, Latvala said he needed a solid start to the year with a top five place in Monte Carlo.

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"I have never gone well in Monte and the key to next year is just to get through the event," he said.

"It doesn't matter where I am inside top five as long as I'm in the top five.

"If you don't do this then you go to Sweden and immediately there is more pressure and all the time you are trying to catch up the points that you have missed.

"Now, Ogier is so strong, it's very difficult to catch up when the points have gone."

Latvala denied Ogier was almost unbeatable, despite his nine wins from 13 rallies in 2013.

"Every year and every season is different," said Latvala, who won just once this year. "Nothing is ever the same.

"Even when [Sebastien] Loeb was winning for many years, he had some fantastic years, but he also had some years - 2009 and 2011 - when things were not so easy for him.

"To beat Ogier you really need the consistency. I'm working on this and on many other aspects of what I will be doing next year."

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