Tänak starts strong, Loeb misses his tire choice

He begins the 2019 World Rally Championship season (WRC) as he finished the 2018 campaign: foot to the floor. Ott Tänak (Toyota) is the first leader of Monte-Carlo after the first two stages contested Thursday evening. 

The Estonian lost a long time during SS1, contested on a road with changing conditions between La Bréole and Quellenet. Equipped with studded tires, he was able to distance himself Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) by 10”6, before managing more in SS2 (3rd). 

Author of a daring bet, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) evolved without studded tires. The outgoing vice-champion limited the damage in SS1 before making up part of his deficit in SS2, which was smoother (14”3 behind Tänak overall). « It's not enough, we wanted to take more, recognizes the Belgian. It seemed like the right choice though. Not bad. »

First stage win of the year in SS2! It's my 175th fastest time in #WRC #RallyMonteCarlo #i20WRC Cup #TN #NG @HMSGOfficial @nicolasgilsoul pic.twitter.com/UJC2bAcRr8

— Thierry Neuville (@thierryneuville) January 24, 2019

Ogier: happy to be there. We knew it was going to be complicated.” I remained cautious in SS1 because of the ice perhaps too much. Neuville's gamble was risky, but he did well in the special stages. I'm not surprised by the Toyota's speed, though. »

The new Hyundai man Sébastien Loeb grimaced even more. The Alsatian, who started in ninth place on the road, was able to keep up with the best in SS1 before really slowing down during SS2. The nine-time world champion points in seventh place overall, 55”2 behind Ott Tänak. 

" It was hard. We didn't make the right choice of tires. I did my best but not easy in these conditions. The road was getting dirty. There was plenty of snow in some corners, brought down by the riders in front of me, and I didn't have that information. I wish I had other tires. The feeling is however there », explains the Frenchman.

Another notable victim of this evening, Chris Meeke (Toyota). The British ghost had nevertheless started his adventure with the Yaris WRC on a flying note with the second fastest time in SS1. Unfortunately, a puncture on the right front cost him a minute. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long! I tempered my enthusiasm when I saw Teemu Suninen (Ford) in the ditch (in SS1), but everything remains possible despite the delay. »

They too accuse a significant delay, but they were not to blame. Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) and Pontus Tidemand (Ford) were very cautious, even more so than the Finns Esapekka Lappi (Citroën) and Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota). 

En WRC 2, the French are having fun. Yoann Bonato (Citroën) leads the ranking with 12'' ahead of its compatriot Nicholas Ciamin (Volkswagen). The French Junior rally champion Adrien fourmaux (Ford) is fifth, more than a minute behind. Kalle Rovanperä (Skoda) lost a quarter of an hour following a trip off the road and a torn off headlight strip.

General ranking after SS2:

Follow him Rally Monte-Carlo 2019 Friday from 9 a.m. with live text from AUTOhebdo.fr.