Monte-Carlo Rally: Ogier puts pressure on Evans and uncertain battle in WRC2

General classification Rally Monte-Carlo 2024 – 1st Stage:

• The 2024 Monte-Carlo Rally brilliantly launches the World Rally Championship season (WRC). On the evening of this first stage, it would be very smart to be able to confidently determine the identity of the future winner! In fact, the leading trio is only 16 seconds apart, and the two leading drivers are only separated by 4 seconds!
• Leader from the first special staged on Thursday evening, Elfyn Evans (Toyota) initially benefited from a spin of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and a stop in a bend belowOtt Tänak (Hyundai) to isolate at the front, Friday morning.
• However, the afternoon loop was difficult for the Welshman. Evans continued to lose ground on Thierry Neuville, but especially on Sébastien Ogier. At the cost of a maximum attack, the Frenchman erased around fifteen seconds from the 2021 vice-champion!
• “I think that on the day we were the fastest, declared Sébastien Ogier, nine-time winner of Monte-Carlo (record). It's clearly a good day, we came back (in the match for victory. Editor's note). »
• “I'm happy to end the day, explained Thierry Neuville. It was complicated this morning but much better this afternoon. We need to have a better day tomorrow”
• Fourth place is occupied by Ott Tänak, who is returning to Hyundai. The South Korean team also has to deal with the return of Andreas Mikkelsen, who is paying dearly for his lack of driving in the Rally1 hybrid. Regularly, without making a mistake, the outgoing WRC2 champion is relegated to almost 3 minutes!
• In WRC2, the fight is also uncertain. The first position was exchanged several times between the astonishing Spaniard Pepe Lopez (Skoda) and the Russian Nikolay Gryazin (Citroën). The latter hit hard during the night of the last special and regained the advantage. Frenchman Yohan Rossel (Citroën) is 3rd, but remains in ambush (+6 seconds).
• The second stage of the 2024 Monte-Carlo Rally will begin on Saturday at 8:05 a.m., and can be followed in live text on AUTOhebdo.fr

ALSO READ > Route, timetables, entrants… The complete guide to the 2024 Monte-Carlo Rally