In 24 hours, luck turned for Sébastien Ogier. Author of an error during the third special stage on Thursday, the Frenchman almost left his hopes of victory on the side of the icy roads of the South of France. Luckily, his Yaris was able to leave without damage, but with a loss of 12 seconds on Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), leader of the general classification, at the end of the day.
The forces reversed and the reigning world champion had a completely bad day on Friday. Made two mistakes in the same corner during SS6 and SS9 (La Bréole / Selonnet), the winner emerging from the Rally Monte Carlo has lost almost 4 minutes and is already out of the running for victory.
Fortunately, the Hyundai driver's misfortunes did not harm the quality of the show. The set of WRC is fortunate to be composed of four world champions for the first time in twenty years. If Thierry Neuville is out, Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) still hopes to add a ninth victory in the Monte-Carlo WRC to his list of achievements. He will however have to be wary of his teammate Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota, 4th, +38.5s) and the Estonian Ott Tänak (Hyundai, 5th, +47.3s). Between them and Sébastien Ogier were two drivers who have not yet had the chance to win a title.
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Ogier and Fourmaux in the running for victory
Four-time vice-world champion, Elfyn Evans (Toyota) is in second place, 12.6s behind his French teammate. Adrien Fourmuax (Hyundai, 3rd, +14.2s) shines brightly for his debut with the Korean manufacturer. Already on five podiums in 2024 with M-Sport, the Northerner is currently having a regular and clean Monte-Carlo. The hardest part, however, comes on Saturday with no less than 132 kilometers to swallow up over the course of a loop of three specials (66 km) contested twice during the day.
The crews will start the meal with a substantial aperitif: the longest special of the Monte-Carlo (27 km) will open the show at 8:59. The 20,85 km between Aucelon and Recoubeau-Jansac will serve as the main course, before a dessert of almost 18 kilometers to Aspremont to conclude a copious menu. The drivers will also have to make sure to keep some appetite for the second loop contested in the afternoon…

Adrien fourmaux is third in the Monte Carlo Rally after two days. @Bastien Roux/DPPI
Saturday's special stages timetables at the Monte-Carlo Rally
08h59 – SS10: La Motte-Chalancon / Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert – 27 km
10h05 – SS11: Aucelon / Recoubeau-Jansac – 20,85 km
11h08 – ES12: La Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont – 17,85 km
14h59 – SS13: La Motte-Chalancon / Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert – 27 km
16h05 – SS14: Aucelon / Recoubeau-Jansac – 20,85 km
17h08 – ES15: La Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont – 17,85 km
Today's TV schedule
08h50 – SS10: Canal+ Sport 360
10h05 – SS11: Canal+ Sport 360
11h06 – SS12: Canal+ Sport 360
14h50 – SS13: Canal+ Sport 360
16h05 – SS14: Canal+ Sport 360
17h08 – SS15: Canal+ Sport 360
The route of the day's special stages in detail
The Monte Carlo Rally standings after SS 9/18
1) Sébastien Ogier (Toyota)
2) Elfyn Evans (Toyota): +12″6
3) Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai): +14″2
4) Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota): +38″5
5) Ott Tänak (Hyundai): +47″3
6) Grégoire Munster (M-Sport Ford): +1'33″7
7) Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota): +1’37″7
8) Sami Pajari (Toyota): +3’32″9
9) Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) +3'58″6
...
12) Joshua McErlean (M-Sport Ford): +5’51″0
...
19) Grégoire Munster (M-Sport Ford): +11'15″1
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Today was good but we still had 2 big days ahead of us pic.twitter.com/m1Z9750S55
— Adrien FOURMAUX (@AdrienFourmaux) January 24, 2025
The starting order of the drivers on the special stages on Saturday
While it was previously defined according to the final standings of the 2024 championship, the starting order will change from Saturday morning: the drivers will now set off in the reverse order of the general Rally standings. Grégoire Munster will open the race after encountering a problem on the liaison following SS9. Sébastien Ogier will be the last on track in his capacity as leader.
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1) Gregory Munster (M-Sport Ford)
2) Joshua McErlean (M-Sport Ford)
3) Thierry Neuville (Hyundai)
4) Sami Pajari (Toyota)
5) Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota)
6) Ott Tanak (Hyundai)
7) Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota)
8) Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai)
9) Elfyn Evans (Toyota)
10) Sébastien Ogier (Toyota)
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