Step 2: pilots’ declarations

Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta S2000, 1st) : “It?s another very good day. We tested different things on the car and we were able to use dry settings in the afternoon. There was still a little more ice than I expected, but everything went well. We had a flat tire this morning but it didn't cost us much. It would be fantastic to win the Monte-Carlo, but there is still a long way to go so I try not to think about it. »

Juho Hanninen (Skoda Fabia S2000, 2nd) : “Since only one of the three special stages of the day was covered in snow, the choice of tires could only be a matter of compromise. On the first pass, we were less studded than our opponents, and on the second, not at all, unlike Sébastien Ogier and Stéphane Sarrazin. On the dry (SS1 and SS 3), it paid off, it even allowed me to set a scratch time, but on the ice portions of Saint Bonnet Le Froid, it was very tricky with the snow tires without nails, especially on descents. I couldn't avoid going out twice... But we had a lot of fun! »

Sébastien Ogier (Peugeot 207 S2000, 3rd) : “We won three stages today and we moved up from 5th to 3rd place. However, we did not attack very hard to avoid taking big risks. The conditions were too difficult for that and then we had to deal with the mud on the road on the second pass. I would prefer to be at the front, but I feel lucky to still be in the race tonight. »

Nicolas Vouilloz (Skoda Fabia S2000, 4th) : “I didn't expect at all to achieve a scratch in the first event of the day. Compared to my pace, I was a little surprised when I was told. I drove the same way in Saint Bonnet le Froid, but there was a lot of snow, and I only found myself 7th. I was probably much too careful. I reacted in Lamastre-Alboussière, where I finished 2nd. For the 2nd round, we all decided at Škoda to go on snow tires without studs. But there were still very snowy and icy sections in Saint Bonnet, it was very complicated to keep the car on the road. With Benjamin Veillas, my teammate, we were very happy to see the end of the special! »

Kris Princen (Renault Clio R3, 14th and 1st Clio R3 European Trophy) : “It's only the second time I've driven on snow, so I wasn't reassured, but ultimately I set the best time of the Clio R3s in the snowiest special, SS6! There is no such thing as the right choice of tires, you just have to find the least bad compromise. My lead is tiny, here you have to count in minutes, not seconds! »

Pierre Campana (Renault Clio R3, 16th and 2nd Clio R3 European Trophy) : “I lost a lot of time in the second passage of Saint Bonnet le Froid by spinning. But the results of the day are positive, notably with this 9th scratch time to finish. Last night I was no longer thinking about victory? and tonight everything is playable. The first special stage of the day will be very tricky. Then during the night of Turini, anything can happen! »

Thomas Barral (Renault Clio R3, 18th and 3rd Clio R3 European Trophy) : ?I only have the 230 horsepower version, while the others use the 250 horsepower version, so I'm very happy to be 3rd. We have been consistent, even if our tire choices have not always been great. We saw today that things can turn around quickly. We have to be regular tomorrow and we'll see? »