“I can tell you, I am not the new Sebastien Loeb, I am Sebastien Ogier” said the World Rally Championship designate during a press conference in Mexico earlier this year.

For Ogier to be compared to a multiple world champion in the early days of his rallying career may have seemed as an affirmation of his driving prowess. But not anymore, when he is relentlessly, to his utter discomfort, compared to his compatriot during the press conferences and the myriad interviews over the course of a rally.

And particularly when he is just a solitary point away from his own title.

Ogier made his first appearance in the WRC in 2008; the season when Loeb clinched a record-breaking fifth title; and if that wasn’t enough, he went on to add four more titles to ensure that the record would remain firmly in his name for years to come.

So to expect Loeb, who has stood on the podium for a champagne-splashing 116 times, to prove that he is the fastest rally driver is heresy and comparing him with Ogier is fallacy. For the nine-time world champion the story over the decade has been so spectacular that the climax doesn’t matter anymore.

Volkswagen, nevertheless, has cleared the path to allow the 29-year-old Ogier for a flat-out fight for victory when he goes head-to-head with Loeb on their home turf in France.

“It’s quite easy – we go for the victory in France, nothing other than that,” Ogier said with uncluttered authority, the kind you need when battling with the best.

But at the top level, when all the elements are in place the mind starts playing games.

“The only point which would make the bad situation for me, of course, [is] if Seb Loeb wins the rally and I got trouble or something. Then it will be a bit of a shadow on my championship against his victory…” he said.

All the more reasons for Loeb to bask in his veranda in Haguenau.

A lot more dust will be raised in the run up to Rally France, highlighting the climax of a tumultuous yet competitive relationship between two of the fastest French drivers ever.

Rally Alsace is in its fourth year, after the FFSA decided to move the French rally to the mainland in 2010. The Sebastiens have won it alternately with Loeb defending his 2012 victory.

Meanwhile, Ogier’s worst performance this year has come at Rally Deutschland in Trier, which is just 200 kilometres from Alsace. Both rallies have a lot in common; with stages in the forests on hills, a vineyard and even one in a military camp.

In Alsace, Loeb has won more than just rallies; he also has the distinction of winning the Alsace Championship in gymnastics four times.

Ogier’s title is imminent but glory comes if he vanquishes the “back-flipping” legend.

All said and done, if you are one of those still interested in the four-race Sebastien Rally Championship then Loeb is leading it 68-66 (not 2-1, this isn’t tennis or football), a narrow two point lead making Rally de France the decider.

This is motorsport, of course, we keep scores.

Follow @RallyVantage