Monte-Carlo: Rovanperä puts pressure on Ogier before the final day

What if everything was not decided in this Monte-Carlo 2023? Solid leader since Thursday evening and the first specials, Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) will perhaps have a little more pressure when it comes time to attack the last day of the event. Indeed, while he was able to have a lead of more than 30 seconds, the Habs saw Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) significantly reduce the gap during the final special stage this Saturday.

This can be explained in particular by the strategic choice of the Gapençais who decided to play it safe in the afternoon loop. The goal ? Take as few risks as possible to avoid punctures and thus a big loss of time at the top of the general standings.

During SS14, the last of this Saturday, this was seen as Ogier did not hesitate to concede ground on Rovanperä who signed his 4^e scratch of the weekend with 9 seconds ahead of his counterpart.

In the general classification, this strategy therefore logically resulted in a big reduction in the gap between the two Toyota drivers. The reigning world champion is now 16 seconds behind the Frenchman, after counting a disbursement of more than 30 seconds earlier in the day.

However, the eight-time winner of the event was not worried about his strategic choice and seems ready for this Sunday. The serenity of the champion…

Behind the two strong men of Toyota Gazoo Racing, the fight for the last step of the podium only concerns Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Elfyn Evans (Toyota).

A time threatened by the Welshman, the Belgian raised the tone this Saturday afternoon by taking on his first two special stages of the year.

Back in the game after suffering at the start of the weekend, Thierry Neuville is giving himself some air over Elfyn Evans on whom he has a lead of 24″5 whileOtt Tänak (M-Sport), suffering with faulty power steering on his Ford Puma, gave up.

General classification at the end of Saturday

In WRC2, everything seemed decided but this last special gave Nikolay Gryazin a hard time. While he seemed to have done the hard part by pushing Yohan Rossel back more than 40 seconds this Saturday, the Russian suffered a puncture and reached the finish on three wheels. A boon for the Habs who are only 15″2 behind the category leader. Enough to plan a lively Sunday!

Action is scheduled to resume at 7:57 a.m. this Sunday.

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