Wilson: “This season may be tighter than ever”

Although at the top of the Drivers' and Manufacturers' rankings following the duo's victory Sébastien Ogier-Julien Ingrassia at Rally Monte Carlo last weekend, Malcolm Wilson keeps his feet on the ground for the rest of the season WRC. The team boss M-Sport Ford even announces that the quest for the title will be more difficult than in 2017. 

“I know that the championship will be more difficult in 2018. For the moment, the level of performance between all the cars and the teams is very similar, this promises an incredible challenge.

This season is likely to be tighter than ever and we have started it in an ideal way.”, explains the Briton. All brands represented (Citroën, Ford, Hyundai et Toyota) set a best time in the special stage during Monte-Carlo.

“This success will never beat last year's victory, but to win what was the most complicated Monte-Carlo I have seen gives a special feeling, continues Malcolm Wilson.

Sébastien really had everything under control. There is no coincidence when it comes to using the right racing strategies and it is also no surprise that he is unbeatable here over the last five editions. »

The second man on the team, Elfyn Evans, was on the other hand more discreet (6th). “He was unlucky by giving up valuable time on Thursday evening. But he came back very strong afterwards. He had the pace to be on the podium this weekend, and he must learn some positive lessons for the future. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Monte-Carlo Rally, produced by our special correspondents, in issue 2150 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands this Wednesday.