WRC – Ogier stays on target in Monte-Carlo

The last step of Rally Monte-Carlo is not a cakewalk for the remaining crews. Between the snowy Col de Turini and the wet roads of the Sospel special? Breil sur Roya, the drivers had to make a compromise by choosing four studded tires and two snow tires, except for Elfyn Evans who preferred to take two additional slicks. Despite the difficulties, notably with stagnant water causing aquaplaning with the studs, the crews completed the first pass without major damage.

Sébastien Ogier was the fastest in the two timed courses and thus increased his lead over Bryan Bouffier to more than a minute. The private pilot M-Sport got a big scare in the Sospel special? Breil on Roya since he reached the finish with a left rear rim destroyed following a slight exit from the road. The Fiesta RS driver WRC maintains a lead of 48 seconds over Kris Meeke who still completes the provisional podium. Mads Ostberg seemed to want to challenge his teammate in the Col de Turini, but a puncture put an end to his hopes. Despite this disappointment, the second Citroën driver maintains a lead of several minutes over Jari-Matti Latvala who remains among the fastest.

Mikko Hirvonen took the lead from Elfyn Evans by just two seconds. The rally is far from over for the two M-Sport drivers who will certainly be keen to win their duel given the performance currently achieved by Bryan Bouffier. Andreas Mikkelsen remains eighth ahead of Jaroslav Melicharek and the Peugeot 207 S2000 by Mateo Gamba. Yuriy Protasov retains the lead in WRC2 while Lorenzo Bertelli takes second place in the category against Robert Barrable. However, the Italian remains a good distance from the DS3 R3 of Sébastien Chardonnet who is at the head of the 2 Wheel Drive category.

The crews will leave from 20:12 p.m. to complete the second pass of the two special stages on the program for the final stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally. The night and the prospect of bonus points from the Power Stage could still offer surprises. Click on this link to see the videos of the event.