Monte-Carlo: Perfect morning for Toyota, Ogier consolidates its leadership position

The special stages pass and the potential winner takes shape. It is nothing more and nothing less than Sébastien Ogier. At the controls of this Rally Monte-Carlo 2023 from SS1 on Thursday evening, the eight-time world champion took care of his morning exit to consolidate his leadership position.

The Toyota ultra-dominantes en ce début d’année, le Tricolore n’a pas eu à forcer lors de ces trois spéciales de la matinée. Si Kalle Rovanperä s’était offert le premier scratch, Sébastien Ogier a répondu présent lors de l’ES10 avec une 7^e victory already in this opening round of the 2023 season allowing the Japanese manufacturer to extend its faultless record. A flawless performance which would continue in the last morning special thanks to the new scratch from the Finn who clings to 2^e instead.

For the clan M-Sport, la matinée n’a pas été de tout repos. After premature abandonment of Pierre-Louis Loubet in SS9, which should return this Sunday, the English structure saw Ott Tänak encountering problems with his power steering causing him to lose precious time in the fight for the podium.

At Hyundai, les espoirs de podium, car de victoire il ne semble pas y en avoir, reposent sur les épaules de Thierry Neuville. The Belgian is trying as best he can to stand up to the Yaris but the i20 still seems too tight to compete.

In the general classification, Sébastien Ogier still leads the way. The Gapençais has a comfortable lead of 30 seconds over Kalle Rovanperä who is once again competitive since he no longer leads the way. In the fight for 3^e step of the podium, Thierry Neuville sees Elfyn Evans come back with seconds special after special. At the end of this first part, the Belgian is ahead of him by 18 but the Welshman has not yet said his last word.

General classification after the morning loop this Saturday.

In WRC2, there are no notable changes to note at the moment. A solid leader, Nikolay Gryazin is heading straight for the final victory. The Russian who everyone agrees at the wheel of the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 increased his lead over Yohan Rossel from 29″7 to 43″5 in the space of 3 special stages. Stéphane Lefebvre fell in the hierarchy going from 3rd to 4th to the detriment of Pepe Lopez who won his first special in this Monte-Carlo during SS10.

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