Monza Rally 2021
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Is Elfyn Evans (Toyota) suffering from altitude sickness? The Welshman was not at ease on the first special stage on Saturday, contested in the mountains of Lombardy (Italy) under renewed sunshine. He leaves the controls to his teammate Sébastien Ogier, who takes the lead of the Monza rally by 1″5!
“I had trouble finding grip, the car was slipping more than expected, explained Elfyn Evans, who must at all costs finish ahead of the Frenchman if he wants to be titled. Maybe I need to be more patient while driving. »
The special was won by Thierry Neuville (Hyundai). The Belgian returns to less than 20″ of the leading duo and distances his teammate Dani Sordo.
In WRC2, a new twist occurred. Leader Marco Bulacia (Skoda) went off the road in a hairpin and damaged his right rear wheel. Stopped at the edge of the special, he left the way clear for Jari Huttunen (M-Sport Ford).
Ranking of the special:
General classification :
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Another twist in WRC2! Marco Bulacia (Skoda) allegedly misinterpreted a note and went off the road in a hairpin! The category leader set off again but then spun. The right rear suspension is damaged. The Skoda Fabia stopped on the side of the road a little further on.
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Evans: “I struggled to find grip, the car was slipping more than expected. Maybe I need to be more patient while driving. »
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Did Elfyn Evans (Toyota) get up on the wrong foot? The Welshman loses big in this first special of the day: 4″6! He leaves control of the rally to Sébastien Ogier by 1″5!
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Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) only loses 1″7 on Thierry Neuville. “I wasn't at the limit because it was a new special. It wasn't perfect but it's okay. »
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Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) is a step above his teammate Dani Sordo. The Belgian distances the Spaniard by an additional 3″4. In the general classification, his lead is now 6″4 in the fight for third place. “I hope to catch up with the Toyotas, there are only 20 seconds left. It's a little and a lot at the same time. I have the same feelings as yesterday, I didn't take any excessive risks because it was a new special stage. »
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Dani Sordo (Hyundai) actually takes the lead time from the Swedish rookie by 1″7. “The start of the special is very quick. »
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Two days after celebrating his dad Petter Solberg's 47th birthday, Oliver Solberg (Hyundai) made the tires of his i20 Coupe WRC smoke as he passed the hairpins. He sets the provisional best time for 1″! “It’s satisfying!” The car is a little clumsy, but the drivers who arrive will be faster. »
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It's Takamoto Katsuta's (Toyota) turn to finish. The Japanese gets in between the Fords 5″8 behind Teemu Suninen. “I don't know why but I don't feel comfortable with the level of grip. There may be changes to be made to the car between now and the next stage. »
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Gus Greensmith (Ford) finished 4″8 behind Teemu Suninen. “I had a little problem with my brakes, we can't solve it, but it's not extremely alarming. »
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Teemu Suninen (Hyundai) is the first man to be offensive this morning. The Finn, replacing Ott Tänak retained for family reasons, set the best time with 6″6 ahead of Adrien Fourmaux.
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Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) doesn't put any pressure on himself. He finished behind Adrien Fourmaux for a handful of seconds, to secure the Manufacturers' title for the Japanese brand. “The first part of the special is pleasant. The final part of the ES is less fun with lots of hairpins. »
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Adrien Fourmaux finishes with a smile. “It's a great stage, with a smooth road and bends that set a nice rhythm. »
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Adrien Fourmaux (Ford) and Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) are traveling on a completely dry road.
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Here is the starting order for today's specials:
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A look back at stage 1 of WRC2 and WRC3:
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Our special correspondent Loïc Rocci met future retiree Julien Ingrassia before the start of this stage. Here's what he takes away.
“I completely immersed myself in the preparation for this rally, he explains. I couldn't allow myself to be overcome by emotions or memories. »
At almost 42 years old (he will be on November 26), the most successful French co-driver in the WRC is preparing to draw a line under a major career comprising 167 World Cup starts, 90 podiums including 53 victories. In addition to representing his final test with Sébastien Ogier, the Italian meeting could see him add an additional crown to his calling card, but he has also managed to ignore it.
“I didn't feel anything particular, because I put it in my head that it was far from over, he details. It is impossible to face such a battle without being 100% focused. Otherwise, it's better to stay at home! I received a lot of requests, messages, but the moment it crossed my mind to think about the past or the future, I plunged back into my preparation. It would not have worked to approach this enormous issue as a dilettante. »
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Here is the program for the day:
SS8: San Fermo 1 (14,8 km) at 7:38 a.m.
SS9: Selvino 1 (24,93 km) at 8:33 a.m.
SS10: San Fermo 2 (14,8 km) at 11:08 a.m.
SS11: Selvino 2 (24,93 km) at 12:03 p.m.
SS12: Roggia 1 (14,39 km) at 15:09 p.m.
SS13: Roggia 2 (14,39 km) at 17:19 p.m.
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Ciao a tutti! The 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC) season concludes at the famous Monza circuit (Italy). This Saturday, November 20, six specials are planned from 7:38 a.m. and will all be followed on our site with live commentary.
>>>The Monza Rally in live text<<
The main interest of this meeting will be to discover the identity of the world champions. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia (Toyota) lead the general classification with 17 points ahead of their teammates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin. The French have their destiny in their hands to obtain an eighth title because they are in second place in the rally, behind Evans-Martin.
Victims of an accident the day before, Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria (Ford) will set off again thanks to the super rally rule. In WRC3, Yohan Rossel and Jacques-Julien Renucci (Citroën) lead the way but only have a small lead over Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak (Skoda). The crew that finishes ahead of the other will be titled.
General classification :
