WRC – Meeke keeps Ogier in check at Monte-Carlo

Kris Meeke (Citroën) concluded the first stage of the Rally Monte-Carlo by occupying the lead in the event. The Northern Irishman won the second special (Barles? Seyne) to return to the service park with a lead of 6”9 over the three-time world champion, winner of the first ES (Entrevaux? Rouaine). The Abu Dhabi WRT resident, however, lost several seconds in a spin shortly after the start.

Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) completes the provisional podium 20 seconds behind the leader. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) follows in fourth place half a minute from first place just ahead of his teammate Hayden Paddon who is riding the 2015 version of the i20 WRC. The New Zealander is four tenths ahead of Mads Ostberg (Ford) who has yet to find his feet with his new co-driver Ola Floene.

Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen) is only in seventh position after losing time by hitting a stone. The Finn is ahead of Robert Kubica (Ford), Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën), Dani Sordo (Hyundai), Ott Tänak (Ford), Éric Camilli (Ford) and Bryan Bouffier (Ford).

Quentin Gilbert (DS 3 R5) leads WRC 2 with around ten seconds ahead of Julien Maurin (Skoda Fabia R5). Armin Kremer (Fabia R5) completes the top three in the category, ahead of Elfyn Evans (Fiesta R5) and Quentin Giordano (DS 3 R5). Yoann Bonato (DS 3 R5) and Jean-Michel Raoux (DS 3 R5) follow each other in sixth and seventh position.

Videos of the Monte-Carlo Rally

The second stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally will be contested from 10:21 a.m.