In 16 starts at Monte-Carlo, Sébastien Ogier has experienced many situations. His previous experiences will help him to face the many changes introduced in the WRC This year. “ It is clear that the first test run left me wanting more., he explains about the withdrawal of the hybrid. We still lost a lot of power, but you can see that having the 80 kg less counts. Overall, I think we will be very close to the performances we had last year. This is still the first race of the season and we have to check that there is not a team that has put its finger on a little trick for this transition. The feeling was not bad in any case, but we will have to wait for the first special stages on Thursday evening to see if we are lacking speed. » These times in the dark will also be the moment for Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais to see how the new Hankook tires behave.
« During our tests we had to do 220 or 230 km, explains the eight-time world champion. It was however on a single basis with one type of tyre. We worked well by collecting a lot of information, but we were far from having the range of conditions that we will encounter this weekend. So it will be a discovery event… but the situation will be the same for many competitors. From what we have seen, the slicks look OK, but we are not yet at the point where we can say that they are good. We have to learn in which window the tyre works best, when you can push it… A priori, it is more complicated with the one intended for snow. »
The role of road position
Despite this questioning, the Frenchman would prefer to have winter conditions for this 93e edition. " With the rain of the last few days, you really don't know what to expect., He explains. It would be better if it was snowy so we would have an idea of the condition of the road. There, there is a chance that the starting order plays a very big role. We are not in front, but not very far either. (4e, Editor’s note), so we won't have the best conditions...but not the worst. We'll have to deal with it. It's always a rally where it is not fought for by tenths. If in some sections it will be to our disadvantage, we will have to remember that the race will be long and that many things can happen. "The Haut-Alpin fears that the competitors ahead of him will dive into the ropes and bring mud and pollution back onto the road as has already been observed in Coratie or in central Europe. Three special stages are on the programme for Thursday evening with a little over 54 km timed.
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Brid Get
23/01/2025 at 01:50 a.m.
"the race will be long"!!! I think we write: "the race will be long" Mr Rocci!!!! Have a nice day and a good "Monté Carl" to you...