The Evans vs. Ogier duel resumes! Relive the first stage of Monte-Carlo 2024 in live text

After the appetizer of the two night specials on Thursday evening, the Rally Monte-Carlo 2024 begins in earnest with six special stages scheduled for this Friday, starting at 8:51 a.m. That’s good, the race can be followed in live text with us!

>> The Monte-Carlo Rally in live text<

Program for Friday January 26, 2024 – 105,72 km
08h – SS3: Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve 1 – 16,68 km
10h – SS4: Champcella / Saint-Clément-sur-Durance 1 – 17,87 km
11h – SS5: La Bréole / Quellenet 1 – 18,31 km
14h – SS6: Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve 2 – 16,68 km
16h – SS7: Champcella / Saint-Clément-sur-Durance 2 – 17,87 km
18h – SS8: La Bréole / Quellenet 2 – 18,31 km

General classification after SS7:

Elfyn Evans (Toyota) is leader, but the Welshman feels the breath of the record holder of the event with his nine successes, the French Sébastien Ogier (Toyota). The latter returned to around ten seconds from first place thanks to a victory in the extraordinary SS5. THE Hyundai byOtt Tänak et Thierry Neuville are fighting for 3rd place, ahead of a very good Adrien fourmaux (M-Sport Ford).

The forces present

Among the entrants, we will find eight Rally1 including the nine-time winner of the event, Sébastien Ogier aboard his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 bearing the number 17. The reigning world champion, Kalle Rovanperä, not being present, the fight will be open between the three favorites for the championship: Elfyn Evans, Ott Tänak et Thierry Neuville. French Adrien fourmaux will lead the M-Sport team this season, alongside Belgian-Luxembourgish Grégoire Munster.

What a place 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Sfc2FwWS7A

- World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) January 26, 2024

Behind the Rally1s, the spectacle should be there in WRC2 where all the big names responded. In particular, we are awaiting the big debut of the new Toyota Yaris Rally2 in the world championship. Four Japanese machines appear on the entry list. Doubt remained as to whether 4th would ultimately go to Stéphane Lefebvre. The other 3 are for Sami Pajari, Bryan Bouffier and Jan Solans.

Skoda is also expected at the forefront with Oliver Sölberg who recently returned for a second season with the Czech manufacturer. Finally, Citroën will also always have its say with Yohan Rossel but also its latest recruit, and not the least, in the person of Nikolay Gryazin.

ALSO READ > Route, timetables, entrants… The complete guide to the 2024 Monte-Carlo Rally