- This Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve special was feared, not only because it is one of the most famous in the Rally Monte Carlo, but especially because it had not been used this Friday morning, after the cancellation of SS5. And despite the black ice present in the wooded section, the Rally1 drivers took the risk of all starting on super-soft tires. A logical choice since almost the entire road was dry.
- However, it was in the icy part that the special was played out. Sébastien Ogier, offensive, was the fastest in this section and over the whole special and set the best time on SS8, leading a French double with the 2nd time ofAdrien fourmaux (+3″9). The eight-time world champion gave his all to win this special stage that he had (surprisingly) never won in his career. "I tried to do my best, as always. I have never won this special stage even though I have family and friends here", he declared at the finish. Thanks to this scratch, Sébastien Ogier takes the lead of this Rallye Monte-Carlo…
- … and it was also thanks to an error by Elfyn Evans that the Frenchman took the lead. In an icy hairpin, on the descent of Ancelle, the Welshman rushed to re-accelerate and went into a semi-spin. Forced to engage reverse, the driver Toyota lost about ten seconds and therefore the lead in this rally. He is now 6 seconds behind Sébastien Ogier in the general classification.
- Big disappointment for Grégoire Munster. The Belgian, surprisingly fast this morning and 4th overall at midday, suffered a puncture on this 8th special and lost 47 seconds. Now 6th overall, the rider M-Sport was dropped from the leading group and finds himself 1'15 behind Sébastien Ogier.
WRC – Rally Monte-Carlo
ES8 – Ranking
General ranking after ES8
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