Hirvonen in the lead after the first stage

With difficult tire choices, different road conditions, reconnaissance and pitfalls? sometimes artificial? at every turn, this first stage of the Rally Monte-Carlo was as difficult and indecisive as expected.

Mikko Hirvonen and Sébastien Ogier, the two pilots usually engaged in WRC, set the best times in the day's four specials. The Ford driver occupies the lead, while the reigning winner fell to fifth place after losing two minutes during an exit on snow left on the road by a few fools (SS2).

Almost surprised to already be in the lead halfway through the day, Hirvonen has a good card to play. The Finn must, however, remain on his guard. The Fiesta S2000 is experiencing some legitimate teething problems. For the moment, minor engine or power steering problems have not penalized the Finn too much, but Monaco is still far away!

Second at 42?? from the leader, Kris Meeke makes the good operation of the day. The reigning IRC Champion also said he was almost surprised to be so well ranked. It must be said that his clan comrades Peugeot him have? well in spite of them? made the task easier. Sébastien Ogier is fifth this evening at 1:51??. Without going straight on a patch of artificial snow, the driver of the 207 would be neck and neck with the leader this evening: “I am no worse classified than last year at the same time! Here, the differences are less significant than elsewhere. We still have our chances. » As for Stéphane Sarrazin, he lost three minutes in SS4 by stopping to change a wheel. Now eighth, have his hopes of victory gone?

As for the Skoda clan, we can be satisfied with the 3rd and 4th places of Juho Hanninen and Nicolas Vouilloz. More cautious than their colleague Jan Kopecky, who left on SS1, they preserved the essentials while waiting to attack.

Tomorrow, six special stages in Haute-Loire are on the program. Once again, the crews will visit legendary places, such as Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid. We're shivering in anticipation!