OGIER CLAIMS RECORD-BREAKING MONTE-CARLO WIN Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais took the win at Rallye Monte-Carlo! It was Ogier's ni...
OGIER CLAIMS RECORD-BREAKING MONTE-CARLO WIN
Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais took the win at Rallye Monte-Carlo! It was Ogier's ninth victory at this event and Landais' first at WRC level.
"It's huge. I love this rally, it's the one which gave me the dream right at the beginning and I am so happy for Vincent: for me it's nice, but for him it's a dream to take his first win.
"We still need to enjoy these moments and that's why we are still here [in the WRC], to catch some victories like this. To win a famous one like Monte has no price."
OVERALL CLASSIFICATION:
| 1. | Ogier |  |
3hr 12min 2.0sec |
| 2. | Rovanperä | |
+18.5sec |
| 3. | Neuville |  |
+44.6sec |
| 4. | Evans | |
+1min 12.4sec |
| 5. | Tänak |  |
+2min 34.9sec |
| 6. | Katsuta | |
+3min 32.6sec |
Ogier claims record-breaking Monte-Carlo win
Sun 17:39 SS18: ROVANPERÄ [2nd overall, fastest on Wolf Power Stage]
"It was a good one. I think we can be quite happy with second place. There was much more cleaning than I expected on Thursday and Friday, and it seems when we were in the same conditions as everyone we had the same pace as everyone else."
Sun 17:37 SS18: NEUVILLE [3rd overall]
"I gave it everything in there but we had so much tyre wear compared to the other all weekend and we are missing speed. Even if we are taking risks at some points, we can't match the others. We had to be sensible this weekend - we kept the car on the road and brought it back. Now we're looking forward to Sweden."
Sun 17:29 SS18: EVANS
"I didn't have the best feeling. The tyres were moving quite early on, but other than that it was quite okay. It's been a pretty good weekend in terms of pace. Obviously the disappointment on Friday put us out of contention for the podium, but that's rallying and that's how it goes."
SS18:
Sun 17:29 SS18: TÄNAK [Fastest on stage so far]
"It's the first stage I have tried to drive fast! We were very stupid on the previous one and we had to push on this one. I wouldn't say it was a great stage, we had a lot of understeer so I struggled with that, but we are here. It's a long season but it's a positive start - at least we have scored some points already not like the previous three years."
Sun 17:27 SS18: KATSUTA [Arrives to stop line with damaged rear-left suspension but holds onto sixth overall]
"I have no idea. After a tight corner something broke straight away, like the car was washing out into the mountain. We were very lucky it was not in a fast section. After that we hit the rear and we were able to continue but we couldn't open the throttle because there was something wrong with the car.""
Sun 17:21 SS18: SORDO
"We had a lot of problems with the hybrid but I am sure the guys did everything they could to give me the best car. I am disappointed to have these small problems but I am sure they will find something and it will not happen again."
SS18: Sordo
Sun 17:17 SS18: LAPPI
"At least we did all the mileage and we understood a lot about this car, which is very important for Croatia. I am quite disappointed with my performance but the only way is to improve and try to be better on the next one."
Sun 17:13 SS18: SERDERIDIS
"I must say this was probably the most easy one - a pure dry asphalt rally, but I liked it very much."
Sun 17:10 GRYAZIN TAKES WRC2 WIN
The Fabia driver has done enough to win his category, ending the weeked 4.5sec clear of second-placed Rossel.
"The last stage was so difficult. The front tyres were completely dead and I understeered a lot, but I just tried to keep it on the line."
Sun 17:06 SS18: ROSSEL (WRC2)
"I pushed to the limit all weekend. The car is not easy to drive but I am here and if I finish second it's not bad for the championship. We didn't make any mistakes all weekend and I drove a bit cautiously when the puncture risk was high. We will see."
Sun 17:04 SS18: LÓPEZ (WRC2)
"I am very happy with what we've done but a bit disappointed because we had some fuel pump problems on Saturday and Sunday, so we had to put a bit more weight in the car. Let's try to do another rally like that."
Sun 17:00 SS18: CAIS (WRC2)
"It was amazing. I need to say thank you to my team because they prepared the car and it was so incredible. The weekend was perfect and we did a really nice job."
Sun 16:44 RUNNING ORDER FOR THE WOLF POWER STAGE
- Cais (WRC2)
- López (WRC2)
- Rossel (WRC2)
- Gryazin (WRC2)
- Serderidis
- Lappi
- Sordo
- Katsuta
- Tänak
- Evans
- Neuville
- Rovanperä
- Ogier
Sun 15:52 STANDINGS AFTER SS17 /18:
| 1. | Ogier | |
3hr 1min 57.8sec |
| 2. | Rovanperä | |
+23.5sec |
| 3. | Neuville | |
+45.1sec |
| 4. | Evans | |
+1min 16.4sec |
| 5. | Tänak | |
+2min 39.0sec |
| 6. | Katsuta | |
+2min 39.1sec |
Sun 15:51 SS17: OGIER [Stage win, carries a 23.5sec lead into the Wolf Power Stage]
"Of course, for me, only the win matters. The Power Stage is not important but I will still try to catch some points for the team because every point is counting at the end of the year."
Sun 15:47 SS17: ROVANPERÄ
"We are also saving the tyres quite a lot and we should have quite a good package for the Power Stage."
Sun 15:45 SS17: NEUVILLE
"We are just managing the tyres and trying to get through to keep some good tyres for the Power Stage. We'll see if we can get some extra points."
Sun 15:42 SS17: EVANS
"It's been really close among the frontrunners so we have to see what's possible. It's really hard on the tyres in here even though we were careful."
Sun 15:40 SS17: TÄNAK [Saving tyres for the Power Stage, now only 0.1sec ahead of Katsuta in fifth overall]
"It's all up to us now."
Sun 15:36 SS17: KATSUTA
"I just wanted to feel how the car is working and it's obviously better than this morning. I will try to do maximum push in the next one - I don't know how much I can do but I'll try."
Sun 15:33 SS17: SORDO
"I tried but it's difficult with the [hybrid] problems. I really enjoyed this stage even without the extra power, it's so nice."
Sun 15:32 LOUBET
M-Sport Ford has confirmed that Pierre-Louis Loubet has retired from the rally. A disappointing end for the French youngster.
Sun 15:30 SS17: LAPPI
"I feel a bit better now. We need to manage the tyres but I think we did a good stage. It seems it's just not my weekend."
Sun 15:28 SS17: SERDERIDIS
"It was great. I did some mistakes in the first hairpins but I was starting to understand. It's nearly the end of the rally but we are still improving."
Sun 15:08 MORE ON LOUBET
He stopped to fix a water leak on the road section and is heading to the stage now.
Sun 15:05 LOUBET
He's running late for SS17 and it's likely he will not be the first car on the road. We'll update you when we have more information.
Sun 14:20 LEFEBVRE (WRC2)
He stopped to change a front-right puncture, dropping more than four minutes.
Sun 14:20 SS16: LÓPEZ (WRC2)
"I can not push and I had some big moments. I have to understand something and try to improve for the second pass."
Sun 14:19 SS16: ROSSEL (WRC2) [Reduces Gryazin's lead to 9.7sec]
"I am pushing. The feeling is not bad but I think it's very hard for the tyres in this stage. We will see on the next one - I think Gryazin has just five tyres and I have six."
Sun 14:16 SS16: GRYAZIN (WRC2)
"For sure there is some pressure but we are just managing it. It's difficult, I think the French guys know the roads better but I am trying to drive to the pace notes. Of course, yesterday's puncture is not helping me."
Sun 14:13 SS16: OGIER [Second on the stage, 1.5sec slower than Rovanperä. Leads the rally by 17.2sec]
"So far, so good. Incredible tyre wear already this morning so in there we tried to drive clean and save the tyres."
Sun 14:10 SS16: ROVANPERÄ
"It's definitely a big difference when the road is clean from the salt. I think earlier in the rally we were losing a lot more time with cleaning the road. Now it's a lot more fun."
Sun 14:08 SS16: NEUVILLE
"It was okay, a clean and smooth stage for us. I think Elfyn is already managing his tyres but we had a clean run through with no sliding at all."
Sun 14:05 SS16: EVANS [Half spin 3.3km into the stage. Nudged a wall but no damage]
"At the tight hairpin it was as if something had broken for a split-second. I came off the throttle and it spun completely around - it took me completely by surprise and I had to stop and reverse. I took it a bit easy then for the rest of the way up."
Sun 14:02 SS16: TÄNAK
"It's difficult to say at the moment but we will try for sure. It's quite hard for the tyres so [the power stage] will be challenging for sure."
Sun 13:58 KATSUTA
"It's so slippy, I don't know why. Even more slippy than Thursday night. It was enjoyable but quite scary."
Sun 13:53 SS16: SORDO [Hybrid fault]
"The hybrid is not working and it's all uphill, so you can imagine what it's like with 100 horsepower less. We need to finish like this and then that's it."
Sun 13:53 SS16: LAPPI
"We needed to save the tyres. It's interesting why I don't feel so good today. We made some changes but it shouldn't be that big [of a difference]. We need to analyse it."
Sun 13:50 SS16: SERDERIDIS
"One minute better than Thursday! I was starting to lose the tyres and with the salt the grip is a little bit less, but it's still enjoyable."
Sun 13:47 SS16: LOUBET
"We did a much better time [than on Thursday night] so let's see what we can do for the Power Stage. My engineer found this issue with the handbrake, so good job to him."
Sun 13:35 SS16: LIVE!
Loubet has started La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini.
Sun 13:28 ROSSEL EATS INTO GRYAZIN'S WRC2 LEAD
Yohan Rossel is the fastest WRC2 driver so far through SS15. He pulled 4.7sec out of long-time leader Nikolay Gryazin and now trails the Fabia driver by 10.5sec.
Rossel eats into Gryazin's WRC2 lead
Sun 13:08 SS15: OGIER [Stage win, extends rally lead to 18.7sec]
"Yesterday night it looked like people were in doubt, but so far I am controlling my risks. It's very precise driving required between the monutains and stones, but at least no cuts where there is a risk of punctures."
Sun 13:05 SS15: ROVANPERÄ
"I am not fully happy. I did this stage last year and I was not on the pace, so for sure it was not easy now to step up. It's going to be a long day for the tyres as well. I just tried to keep a good and safe pace."
Sun 13:02 SS15: NEUVILLE [Spin and hybrid issue 2.4sec slower than Evans.]
"We had a spin on the first corner and something is wrong with the hybrid. There's a confusion on the maps."
Sun 12:59 SS15: EVANS
"I'm focusing on my own performance really. We're just trying to do what we can and we'll see what happens."
Sun 12:56 SS15: TÄNAK
"I am just getting through at the moment. It's very tough for the tyres."
Sun 12:53 SS15: KATSUTA
"The feeling is okay. I am trying to manage my tyres a bit and let's see what we can do in the next three stages."
Sun 12:50 SS15: SORDO [Penalised 10sec for a jump start, drops behind Lappi to seventh overall]
"It was not my fault. They need to check the cameras because it was not my fault. I did not know what time I needed to go."
Sun 12:47 SS15: LAPPI
"I have no confidence, I don't know why. I can't push like yesterday, it's just not possible."
Sun 12:46 SS15: SERDERIDIS
"In the uphill there are a lot of hairpins with maximum power, and the downhill is a little bit like yesterday morning. Very dry, no cuts, no pollution - just enjoy!"
Sun 12:43 SS15: LOUBET [Driving slowly to save tyres for Wolf Power Stage. Overshot a hairpin left at 15.8km]
"We drove very slowly to keep the tyres for the power stage. We don't have any handbrake but we will try to do our best. I think we will have to reverse in the Turini at least one time for sure."
Sun 12:27 SS15: LIVE!
Reverse rally classification order today, which means Pierre-Louis Loubet opens the road. He's just started the first stage.
Sun 12:25 SUNDAY'S ITINERARY
Sunday’s finale returns to the Alpes-Maritimes. The familiar Luceram / Lantosque (18.82km) opens proceedings and is followed by a re-run of La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini, which crews have already driven in anger on Thursday evening.
Both stages are repeated once again with the latter forming the Wolf Power Stage where bonus points are available. The final four tests add up to 67.88km.
The survivors return to Monaco for the Casino Square champagne celebrations on Sunday afternoon after 18 stages covering 325.02km.
Four stages remain today, and Sébastien Ogier holds a 16.0sec advantage over team-mate Kalle Rovanperä. Can he hold on?
The action resumes at 0757hrs with the Lucéram / Lantosque stage.
Sat 23:38 SATURDAY STAGES COMPLETE
Sat 23:36
STANDINGS AFTER SATURDAY (SS14 /18):
| 1. | Ogier | |
2hr 27min 11.5sec |
| 2. | Rovanperä | |
+16.0sec |
| 3. | Neuville | |
+32.0sec |
| 4. | Evans | |
+56.5sec |
| 5. | Tänak | |
+1min 37.3sec |
| 6. | Katsuta | |
+2min 15.7sec |
Sat 23:35 SS14: ROSSEL (WRC2) [Stays behind Gryazin in the overall WRC2 standings by 15.2sec]
"I am sorry for him. We will see tomorrow, but at the moment he is faster than me. The plan is to do no mistakes, continue to keep the pressure and we will see. Tomorrow is a long day and I know the roads very well."
Sat 23:34 SS14: GRYAZIN (WRC2) [Front-right puncture]
"I had a front puncture... I think we had it for seven or eight kms in the end. I was trying to avoid all the cuts and we still got it. Unbelievable."
Sat 23:32 DRAMA FOR GRYAZIN
Driving through the stage with a puncture - his lead is at risk!
Sat 23:26 SS14: OGIER [9.8sec slower than Rovanperä. Leads by 16.0sec going into Sunday].
"I think it should be enough. It was the most dangerous stage for punctures, so I took it easy and I am happy this stage is over now."
Sat 23:26 SS14: NEUVILLE
"I struggled in some of the fast sections - but I couldn't do much more in there."
Sat 23:16 SS14: SORDO
"I just tried to pass through the stage because all day we have been really bad. There is no point risking anything now in the night."
Sat 23:12 SS14: KATSUTA
"It's been rally challenging, especially this night stage. You can not see some of the corners and also you can not see how much gravel is coming on the road. We survived."
Sat 23:10 SS14: LAPPI
"Today has been a good day. We improved the car a lot and it feels better for me now. At least now I am satisified, this is good."
Sat 23:00 SS14: SERDERIDIS
"A lot of people in there! It was nice, very dry like all day. On the fast sections I couldn't see anything and it was even better than in the lights. I am happy!"
Sat 22:53 SS14: LIVE!
We're underway in the darkness. Serderidis has started Ubraye / Entrevaux.
Sat 21:09 SS13: OGIER [Fourth-fastest, leads by 25.8sec with one stage remaining today]
"It was quite dirty now, but all okay. We had a clean drive and a clean stage."
Sat 21:06 SS13: ROVANPERÄ
"I am quite close to the limit. When there is more dirt on the road the car is not so easy to drive, but when it's clean I am fine."
Sat 21:04 SS13: NEUVILLE [Fastest so far by 3.0sec]
"We had a good stage but we had a huge jump and I feel a bit of back pain. We are here and we took a bit of time from Elfyn so it's not too bad. We were a bit on the limit and over the limit a few times."
Sat 21:01 SS13: TÄNAK
"It was quite dirty. It's a difficult stage for me - this is the worst stage [for the power steering]. The next one is a bit faster so it should be better."
Sat 20:58 SS13: EVANS
"I'm not sure if I improved to be honest. There's quite a lot of loose gravel lines and it's difficult to fine the balance with the risk. It's all happening pretty quick."
Sat 20:55 SS13: SORDO
"I don't know. I can't do better. I tried my best but it's not enough. I have no idea."
Sat 20:52 SS13: KATSUTA
"At the end of the stage, maybe three times I was off the line. Not a big moment but I had understeer."
Sat 20:47 SS13: SERDERIDIS
"It's completely different to the first pass. Much more difficult from my point of view. There will be things happening in there - it's very dirty."
Sat 19:33 SS12: OGIER
"The strategy doesn't change for me at the moment. I try to be as clean as I can."
Sat 19:31 SS12: ROVANPERÄ
"I had a small slide in there..."
Sat 19:30 SS12: NEUVILLE
"It was okay. We had a good rhythm to be honest but in the fast corners I have no lateral grip and I am just sliding. In the narrow sections we are fine."
Sat 19:27 SS12: TÄNAK
"[The power steering issue] seems also a bit temperature-related. When it gets twisty and in the last kilometres it's hard. But in the fast parts and straights it's not so bad."
Sat 19:24 SS12: EVANS
"Just keep going really. It was very tricky in here with quite a lot of gravel. There was a section in the middle that seemed really low grip and I sort of lost my confidence in the grip for a while."
Sat 19:21 SS12: SORDO
"Sometimes the hybrid unit is working, sometimes it's not working. It's something really weird. Anyway, we need to get through the day and try to do something tomorrow because today obviously we are not on the pace."
Sat 19:17 SS12: KATSUTA
"I am just focusing on my own things. This morning I had no pace, so I need to improve some stuff. In this stage my driving was so bad - I'm really not happy."
Sat 19:14 SS12: LAPPI [Right-rear puncture]
"For sure, there are some sharp rocks in the cuts. It must have been there, otherwise I have no idea."
Sat 19:13 SS12: SERDERIDIS
"A little bit more pollution but I think it's enjoyable. We changed the set-up a little bit and it's improving. All good fun."
Sat 19:03 SS12: LIVE!
The afternoon loop is underway here at Rallye Monte-Carlo. Three stages totalling 55km remain today.
Sat 17:24 SS11: OGIER
"Since this morning, the target is to try to stay safe. There is a lot of cuts with a high risk of punctures so I took it easy."
Sat 17:21 SS11: ROVANPERÄ
"The morning has been fine. On this stage I overheated the tyres too much at the start of the stage and in the beginning it was really slippy."
Sat 17:16 SS11: NEUVILLE
"The car was bouncing around all the way. Too much movement and no reactivity. I pushed as hard as I could but I am not comfortable."
Sat 17:16 SS11: TÄNAK [Only 5.1sec slower than Evans. Still has some sort of issue with the power steering]
"It's still here. It's an internal issue but it's consistent. It's a bit hard work but it's driveable."
Sat 17:12 SS11: EVANS
"It's not too bad. A tricky start obviously with [that section] being new, but all okay."
Sat 17:10 SS11: SORDO
"I have no hybrid in the car but that's not the problem. My problem is between the steering wheel and the seat! I am struggling a little bit to find the speed in the corners."
Sat 17:08 TÄNAK
It appears like he's fixed the power steering issue - his split times are looking good.
Sat 17:06 SS11: KATSUTA
"It's tricky and actually quite slippy at the beginning. I was not so confident in this stage so I will try to fix that for the next loop."
Sat 16:57 SS11: LAPPI
"I took it too carefully. It was not as bad as we thought after recce, but let's see how the time is. We made some changes again but maybe we went too far now. At least we found the limits."
Sat 16:49 SS11: LIVE!
Serderidis has started the final stage of the morning.
Sat 15:10 SS10: OGIER [Stage win, extends rally lead to 34.6sec]
"It's a beautiful stage - for me one of the most beuatiful of the rally. We had fun and there was a good rhythm. I took it a bit less in places where I thought there was a risk of punctures, but all good."
Sat 15:06 SS10: ROVANPERÄ
"The beginning was quite good but on the middle section it was already quite dirty from the cuts. Not so easy, I was sliding a bit in places."
Sat 15:04 SS10: NEUVILLE
"We had a good stage. It was quite tricky and a bit dirty. Not an easy one."
Sat 15:01 SS10: TÄNAK IN TROUBLE [Power steering failure. 9.2sec slower than Evans, drops behind him to fifth overall]
"I I have no power steering. After 3km it started to go and now it's gone."
SS10: Tänak in trouble
Sat 14:57 SS10: EVANS
"I'm trying not to be on the ragged edge, I'm trying to be smooth - it's pretty abrasive. It was a clean run."
Sat 14:55 SS10: SORDO
"On the first stage I did really bad. In this stage at the beginning I did bad, but at the end I was trying to do well. Sometimes the feeling is good but the times are normally not so good here now. Let's keep trying and bring the car back."
Sat 14:52 SS10: KATSUTA
"You never know how much gravel is coming from the inside, so maybe I was a bit cautious at the end. It's enjoyable but it's not so comfortable."
Sat 14:49 SS10: LAPPI
"I think we should have stiffened the car for this stage. It's high grip with a lot of small bumps here and there - at least we know for the next loop. Everything is good, so much better than yesterday."
Sat 14:47 SS10: SERDERIDIS
"The grip is fantastic and the stage is long with a lot of twisty parts at the end. It was nice, really nice."
Sat 14:35 SS10: LIVE!
Serderidis has started Malijai / Puimichel.
Sat 13:39 ALL ACTION ON SATURDAY MORNING
Kalle Rovanperä won Saturday's opening stage at Rallye Monte-Carlo to consolidate his position in second overall. The young Finn outpaced third-placed rival Thierry Neuville by 2.7sec in the stage, extending his buffer to 4.6sec.
Rovanperä team-mate Elfyn Evans also made positive gains. He posted the second-fastest time, reducing the deficit to fourth-placed Ott Tänak to just 2.9sec. Sébastien Ogier was third on the stage and remains comfortably in the lead.
Further down the order, Takamoto Katsuta made it four Yaris cars in the top six. He leapfrogged Dani Sordo, who wasn't happy with his performance.
Pierre-Louis Loubet became the day's first casualty when he slid into a bridge on the final corner. His Puma suffered rear suspension damage, marking an early bath.
STANDINGS AFTER SS9 /18:
| 1. | Ogier | |
1hr 35min 47.4sec |
| 2. | Rovanperä | |
+33.5sec |
| 3. | Neuville | |
+38.1sec |
| 4. | Tänak | |
+57.5sec |
| 5. | Evans | |
+1min 0.4sec |
| 6. | Katsuta | |
+1min 40.4sec |
All action on Saturday morning
Sat 13:33 SS9: GRYAZIN (WRC2)
"It's good. I like the car today, it feels different and much easier to drive. I don't know if the tyres overheated in the last part because there's less grip. There's still a long way to go but we are trying to enjoy and do our job."
Sat 13:31 SS9: OGIER
"We tried to drive safely. It was definitely not full speed for us at the moment but we want to stay safe."
Sat 13:30 MORE ON LOUBET
His day is over. While the Frenchman is able to change the damaged rear link arm, his Puma's hub bracket is also broken.
Sat 13:28 SS9: ROVANPERÄ
"It was not a good stage for me, I could have done better. It was clean but it was not the driving that I want to do."
Sat 13:26 SS9: NEUVILLE
"It was a bit dirty and I was less quick than I expected to be. I had a couple of small sides. We did some set-up changes overnight and it takes time to get used to it. I lost some time but at the end it was feeling better."
Sat 13:23 SS9: TÄNAK [Now only 2.9sec ahead of Evans in the overall standings]
"Let's see we are moving with the car and trying to find a bit more. Hopefully it's coming today a bit more."
Sat 13:20 SS9: EVANS
"Pretty okay but a pretty tricky stage. The grip is changing a bit, especially here at the end. All okay."
Sat 13:17 SS9: SORDO [10.2sec slower than Katsuta. Drops a position to seventh overall]
"I am not on the pace. I felt like I was not doing good in the stage so I expected this time."
Sat 13:14 SS9: KATSUTA
"i am just trying to do my best today but this one is very cold temperature. My gravel crew did a really good job but the end of the stage is definitely quite slippy, maybe the salt or something. All okay."
Sat 13:10 SS9: LAPPI
"It's definitely feeling better than yesterday. I still don't believe the time is fast enough but we are going in the right direction. For sure the car feels the best it has done so far this weekend."
Sat 13:06 LOUBET [Hit barrier on the outside of the final corner. Heavy damage to right rear of the car including bent wheel]
"It was icy..." Do you think you'll be able to fix it? "No."
Sat 13:06 SS9: SERDERIDIS
"It's totally dry, no pollution. Maximum attack... for the people behind me! It was a good run, no problem."
Sat 12:54 SS9: LIVE!
Serderidis has started Le Fugeret - Thorame-Haute.
Sat 12:48 RUNNING ORDER FOR TODAY
Reverse rally classification order, meaning Jourdan Serderidis opens the road.
- Serderidis
- Loubet
- Lappi
- Katsuta
- Sordo
- Evans
- Tänak
- Neuville
- Rovanperä
- Ogier
Sat 12:38
SATURDAY'S ITINERARY
The action switches west to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence today for another 111.78km of competition. Le Fugeret / Thorame-Haute (16.80km), Malijai / Puimichel (17.31km) and Ubraye / Entrevaux (21.78km) each run twice either side of another tyre fitting zone in Puget-Théniers. Again, there is no mid-leg service.
Saturday's itinerary
Sat 12:36
SATURDAY'S VITAL STATS
START: 0556hrs (first car into service)
NUMBER OF STAGES: 6
STAGE DISTANCE: 111.78km
FINISH: 2138hrs (first car into parc fermé)
Sat 12:30 SATURDAY MORNING: WHAT'S HAPPENING?
It's the rally's penultimate day.
Sébastien Ogier outclassed his FIA World Rally Championship peers to end Friday at Rallye Monte-Carlo with a commanding lead.
Driving a GR Yaris for Toyota Gazoo Racing, the eight-time world champion won four of the six French Alps speed tests to lead the opening round by 36.0sec from colleague Kalle Rovanperä after 145km of competition.
Saturday morning: what's happening?
Sat 12:22 GOOD MORNING
And welcome back to our live text coverage of Rallye Monte-Carlo. We're live at WRC.com and from the WRC app to bring you all the latest news and updates from the opening round of the championship.
Fri
22:03
FRIDAY STAGES COMPLETE
And that brings an end to today's coverage here at Rallye Monte-Carlo.
We'll be back tomorrow morning when the action resumes from 0824hrs (local time). Bye for now.
Fri 21:56 STANDINGS AFTER FRIDAY (SS8 /18):
| 1. | Ogier | | 1hr 26min 39.4sec |
| 2. | Rovanperä | | +36.0sec |
| 3. | Neuville | | +37.9sec |
| 4. | Tänak | | +54.2sec |
| 5. | Evans | | +1min 2.3sec |
| 6. | Sordo | | +1min 30.2sec |
Fri 21:52 SS8: ROSSEL (WRC2)
"It's quite good to bid for the podium, but I think for the victory it's complicated. For me, my driving is not bad and the car also feels good. We will see tomorrow."
Fri 21:52 SS8: LEFEBVRE (WRC2)
"It's impossible to take this pace during the whole rally. I tried to push hard and I think we are missing something, but now I understand the rhythm that I need to be on this weekend."
Fri 21:51 SS8: GRYAZIN (WRC2 LEADER)
"I think the car, the set-up and the pace notes are now working good. It seems that finally everything is coming together in one piece."
Fri 21:48 SS8: SERDERIDIS
"It was a long day, but all okay. We had a lot of fun and that's why we are here."
Fri 21:46 SS8: LOUBET [Completed more than half the day's stages with no power steering]
"If you want to train to do something very hard, you should drive a car with no power steering. It's quite good!"
Fri 21:38 SS8: LAPPI
"It's been very challenging to really figure out what I should do differently to make better times. This stage seems to be better for me in general, but on all the other stages we are losing even more. I need to think again during the night about what we can do with the engineers. Tomorrow is a new day."
Fri 21:37 SS8: SORDO
"The feeling is not bad but the times are not good. We are losing the same amount of time all the time. The car was too soft in here and we were bottoming out all over the road. I don't have the precision that I really need so I will try to do something different for tomorrow."
Fri 21:34 SS8: OGIER [Leads the rally by 36.0sec at the end of the day]
"I am very satisfied. Obviously, the risk of punctures was higher in this one so I took it a bit easy. I'm just happy to bring the car home tonight."
Fri 21:31 SS8: KATSUTA
"It's been quite a good day and we need to bring this feeling into tomorrow. There is still a long way to go so I need to keep improving and finish the rally."
Fri 21:28 SS8: EVANS
"The tyre choice was maybe not the smartest and I didn't feel so comfortable. It's been an okay day but obviously there's a lot of disappointment."
Fri 21:25 SS8: NEUVILLE [Ends the day 1.9sec behind Rovanperä in third overall]
"It was another good stage but obviously we can't match the times, I don't know why. I am trying hard and now we have similar tyre choices. I know that we should be up but we are not."
Fri 21:22 SS8: TÄNAK
"Quite a Tarmac rally which we don't normally see in Monte. From our side, the car is quite comfortable to drive but it's not, let's say, racey enough."
Fri 21:19 SS8: ROVANPERÄ
"It was not a big push, I just tried to make a clean stage. The car was feeling better than this morning also. Let's see how they are coming."
Fri 20:48 SS7: SERDERIDIS
"I like it very much but I think our time is worse than on the first pass, I don't know why. Maybe it's because of the pollution from the cuts. It's still a very nice stage."
Fri 20:47 SS7: LOUBET [Still nursing power steering fault]
"Still one to go. I have to go..."
Fri 20:40 SS7: LAPPI
"Everything is okay now, except the times. I just can't understand because the car feels good and the driving is okay. I am disappointed."
Fri 20:37 SS7: SORDO
"I don't know... I don't have a bad feeling but honestly I don't know what to say. I don't understand the times because the car feels good."
Fri 20:34 SS7: OGIER
"It's better with the hybrid for sure. I can focus on driving a bit more cleanly without taking any crazy risks. It was a good stage."
Fri 20:32 SS7: KATSUTA
"It's quite wide and high-speed, I really like it because you can take the line how you want."
Fri 20:28 SS7: EVANS
"Pretty okay to be honest. We're just carrying on, all okay so far."
Fri 20:25 SS7: NEUVILLE
"I was quite on the maximum to be honest... that's all I can do."
Fri 20:22 SS7: TÄNAK
"We just need to be consistent. Generally the performance is missing a bit when it's a bit more pacey."
Fri 20:19 SS7: ROVANPERÄ
"It's much easier than the first pass. The line is much cleaner from the salt but for some reason I feel that in this stage it's a bit tricky with the grip in the last section. I was sliding a lot."
Fri 20:06 SS7: LIVE!
SS7, Puget-Théniers - Saint-Antonin 2, is underway now.
Fri 19:45 SS6: INGRAM (WRC2)
"The pace has been really quick but I'm still feeling a bit rusty. Everything's happening so fast - I'm not quite as sharp as I usually am at the moment. It'll come good."
Fri 19:43 SS6: FOURMAUX (WRC2)
"I am really happy because I did a really good stage. I was pushing but it was really clean and I kept the tyres for the whole stage."
Fri 19:41 SS6: LÓPEZ (WRC2)
"I am more comfortable now. Let's try to push again.
Fri 19:39 SS6: ROSSEL (WRC2)
"My feeling is good, the same as this morning. Gryazin is so fast. I have just two new tyres on the front. I think it's not bad but I can't do more."
Fri 19:37 SS6: LEFEBVRE (WRC2)
"I think Nikolay is pushing very hard. I tried to push very hard but we are missing something for sure."
Fri 19:35 SS6: GRYAZIN (WRC2)
"It's a little bit risky, but not really a lot. In some places where you can go off there is a little bit of cautious, but the rhythm is good."
Fri 19:33 SS6: SERDERIDIS
"I improved only a little bit. I was not so confident after the first loop, I don't know why, but the grip was a little bit better."
Fri 19:31 SS6: LOUBET [Power steering fault has not been resolved]
"It's difficult but we have to manage to finish the stages and not give up. It's not easy."
Fri 19:24 SS6: LAPPI
"The car is feeling better and better all the time."
Fri 19:22 SS6: SORDO
"I don't understand where I can get the time. For me it was a clean run, but when you see the times of the others they are all faster. I think we had some good tyres now and the car was working well. I am a little bit confused."
Fri 19:19 SS6: OGIER
"So far the hybrid is working - the guys managed to fix it with the laptop at midday. We have a 30sec lead so we can manage not to take full risks."
Fri 19:16 SS6: KATSUTA
"I was more confident with the conditions and I was trying to take some risks. I don't know why but there is some sort of vibration. Apart from this everything is working well."
Fri 19:13 SS6: EVANS
"Nothing's changed really. I'm obviously disappointed with what happened but we'll keep going. All okay."
Fri 19:10 SS6: NEUVILLE [Drops behind Rovanperä to third overall]
"I tried to drive as cleanly as possible and do what I can. It looks like it's not enough but at the moment it's difficult to do much more."
Fri 19:07 SS6: TÄNAK [Only carrying one spare wheel this afternoon]
"It feels okay, let's see at the end of this loop. For sure, there was much higher grip and it's not so bad."
Fri 19:04 SS6: ROVANPERÄ
"Quite okay but nothing too special. We will try to be a bit better in this loop now and hopefully have some better times."
Fri 18:53 WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY
Friday's afternoon loop as begun here at Rallye Monte-Carlo. Kalle Rovanperä has started SS6, Roure / Roubion / Beuil.
Fri 16:38 SS5: SERDERIDIS
"This stage is more difficult with more pollution than the other ones. Okay, it was not so bad and we enjoyed the morning much more than yesterday."
Fri 16:32 SS5: LOUBET [No power steering, 1min 30sec dropped]
"Under braking,the car wouldn't turn at all. I don't know."
Fri 16:32 SS5: LAPPI
"It's been the same challenges as yesterday. I am a bit too slow everywhere to be honest. We made a big step with the car's suspension and I think we moved in a better direction on this stage, but still I want to make it even better."
Fri 16:29 LOUBET
He's limping through with no power steering after hitting a rock earlier in the stage.
Fri 16:28 SS5: SORDO
"Very bad. I am just really slow in general and we are losing the same [amount of] time all the time. I don't why, maybe there's still not a lot of confidence or something."
Fri 16:25 SS5: OGIER
"Of course I am pushing flat-out to be honest but the feeling is good. Apart from that the car is working well."
Fri 16:22 SS5: KATSUTA
"Luckily we found a slow puncture after the last stage so we fitted a new tyre on time. The feeling was very good with the car and everything was working well."
Fri 16:20 SS5: EVANS [Rear right puncture, 42.1sec dropped]
"I have no idea. It was at the top of a very fast place. Just a warning on the dash - that's all I got."
Fri 16:16 SS5: NEUVILLE
"It was not very fun to be honest. The tyres are really on the edge and they overheated after 2km of the stage. I am just trying to follow the road and manage the braking points but it's not so much fun."
Fri 16:13 SS5: TÄNAK
"No issues, I am just struggling quite a bit. It's tricky."
Fri 16:11 SS5: ROVANPERÄ [Light rear damage after hitting armco barrier]
"It was the first real braking section of the stage. I had less grip than I expected and I just ran a bit wide. It was quite a tricky loop and I think the tyre choice was not perfect."
Fri 16:05 SS5: LIVE!
Rovanperä is already part-way through Briançonnet - Entrevaux 1.
Fri 15:47 TECHNICAL FAULT FAILS TO DERAIL OGIER'S CHARGE
Sébastien Ogier remains unbeaten so far here at Rallye Monte-Carlo. He overcome a hybrid unit fault in SS4 to add another stage win to his tally and now leads by 11.3sec over team-mate Elfyn Evans.
Hyundai's Thierry Neuville, third-fastest on the stage, climbed the order to move back into the top-three. M-Sport Ford Puma debutant Ott Tänak was also on the move and now holds fourth ahead of Kalle Rovanperä.
Fri 15:46 SS4: LÓPEZ (WRC2)
"We are just trying to get through the morning with these super soft tyres."
Fri 15:44 SS4: ROSSEL (WRC2)
"The feeling is not bad. The car is better now - it's much easier to take pleasure on this stage."
Fri 15:42 SS4: LEFEBVRE (WRC2)
"I think this one was quite okay in terms of rhythm. I tried to do well but the time is not there."
Fri 15:41 SS4: GRYAZIN (WRC2)
"Better, but the tyre is still too soft for this kind of stage. It's cold outside but when you have twisty roads like this they start to overheat. Okay, it's adaptation."
Fri 15:39 SS4: SERDERIDIS
"I like it from the recce and this is my best stage so far. The road is very clean, no cuts, it's perfect. I am happy."
Fri 15:34 SS4: LOUBET
"Not an easy one. We had a puncture alarm on the dashboard so I backed off, but I think it was an okay stage."
Fri 15:31 SS4: LAPPI
"For sure there is some dirt coming from the cars, but it's not really damp"
Fri 15:28 SS4: SORDO
"I am not fast enough. The car was floating a little bit and at the end of the stage we lost the grip because the tyres were too hot."
Fri 15:25 SS4: OGIER [Another benchmark time despite hybrid unit fault. Now leads by 11.3sec]
"Not so good. We have an issue and we are driving flat-out to try and compensate for it. No hybrid."
Fri 15:22 SS4: KATSUTA
"I feel good with the car. After the middle of the stage we started to get some mist on the windscreen so I was maybe not fully focused."
Fri 15:18 SS4: EVANS
"Séb's going well at the minute. Everything is working okay for us and we're trying not to do anything crazy, so let's see. There's a long way to go."
Fri 15:16 SS4: NEUVILLE [Provisionally moves up to 3rd overall, overtaking Tänak and Rovanperä]
"We still have a bit of work left, however I felt a bit more comfortabe in this one. It's a bit more technical but as soon as it's fast and bumpy the car is a bit nervous. We could go faster but the risk would be too high at the moment."
Fri 15:13 SS4: TÄNAK
"We are trying to learn and see how the car reacts to the changes. Step by step, there is still quite a bit to do."
Fri 15:10 SS4: ROVANPERÄ
"Pretty okay. At the beginning I didn't have so much grip - I think there was salt on the road or something. The rest of it was quite okay."
Rovanperä is underway in Puget-Théniers - Saint-Antonin 1.
Fri 14:54 AN UPDATE FROM SS4
There is a small delay to the start of this stage - but we expect the action will resume at 1027hrs (local time).
Fri 14:51 RECCE NOTES: SS4
It's mostly dry with some small damp sections in the first half of the stafe. Sto line temperature is -7°C.
Fri 14:33 SS3: CAIS (WRC2)
"I was probably too careful on the fast sections because I don't know what to expect - it's a new car for me. The feeling is good and the smile is on, let's keep it up that way."
Fri 14:31 SS3: INGRAM (WRC2)
"That's really good. Yesterday I was so rusty - I'd not been in a rally car since I rolled off a cliff in Greece! I think we're doing really well."
Fri 14:29 SS3: FOURMAUX (WRC2)
"It was okay, actually. I pushed very hard on this one but the time is not coming. It's really frustrating but it's like that."
Fri 14:27 SS3: LÓPEZ (WRC2)
"I think our tyre choice was not correct with soft tyres. We just need to keep going."
Fri 14:26 SS3: ROSSEL (WRC2)
"I pushed very well and the car is not bad, but it's not perfect."
Fri 14:25 SS3: LEFEBVRE (WRC2)
"It was a clean run but it's tricky to find the grip and the confidence. You see some snow on the side of the road and you are a bit surprised sometimes. It's a long rally."
Fri 14:22 BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR LEADER OGIER
Sébastien Ogier continues to lead Rallye Monte-Carlo after grabbing another stage win at Roure / Roubion / Beuil. He's now 9.2sec clear of team-mate Elfyn Evans, while Kalle Rovanperä climbed to positions to complete an all-Toyota podium.
Thierry Neuville remains fourth ahead of Ott Tänak, who dropped down the order after losing 8.0sec to Ogier's benchmark.
STANDINGS AFTER SS3 /18:
1. Ogier toyota-logo-1989-1400x1200 26min 33.7sec
2. Evans toyota-logo-1989-1400x1200 +9.2sec
3. Rovanperä toyota-logo-1989-1400x1200 +23.2sec
4. Neuville Hyundai-Logo +23.3sec
5. Tänak Ford-logo-flat-svg +23.4sec
6. Loubet Ford-logo-flat-svg +44.9sec
Fri 14:19 SS3: GRYAZIN (WRC2)
"I am not sure if the tyre choice was good for this stage. We went with the soft tyres and they overheated. Okay, we need to think about the rally and not about each stage."
Fri 14:19 SS3: SERDERIDIS
"Better with the light! It was more at my level. There is some snow in some corners but nothing bad. From my point-of-view the grip is top."
Fri 14:14 SS3: LOUBET
"I feel good. The car was working very well but we had a bit of understeer unfortunately, which is not so good for the front tyres. We did a good stage."
Fri 14:11 SS3: LAPPI
"I didn't figure out during the night why I am braking so much all the time. We need to work on that."
Fri 14:08 SS3: SORDO
"It was okay. I had a bit of movement because we have super soft tyres on one side of the car. It was a nice stage - really fast at the end."
Fri 14:05 SS3: OGIER [Extends overall lead to 9.2sec. Only carrying one spare tyre]
"The truth is we don't have so many soft tyres for the rally, so you can not take too many. At the end we do not need to carry one more."
Fri 14:02 SS3: KATSUTA
"It's okay. I was too careful in the damp sections because I thought there would be ice, but there was no ice."
Fri 14:00 SS3: EVANS [Fastest so far. Carrying 4x soft + 2x super soft tyres]
"I don't remember what tyres they fitted at the service! It feels okay..."
Fri 13:56 SS3: NEUVILLE
"I was struggling a bit with the turn in and the movement of the car. I took it easy in the fast section because I didn't want to get any surprises, but other than that it was a clean run."
Fri 13:50 SS3: TÄNAK
"A clean run. It's all we could for the moment and we are trying to keep the good performance. So far so good."
Fri 13:50 SS3: ROVANPERÄ
"Pretty clear conditions, nothing special to be honest. We took a bit of a different tyre plan than the others. Let's see how it works on this loop."
Fri 13:39 SS3: LIVE!
Kalle Rovanperä has started the first stage of the day - Roure / Roubion / Beuil 1.
Fri 13:35 GRAVEL NOTES: SS3
It'a mainly dry but there are some slippy corners on the ascent and plenty of spectators. Temperature at the finish is -6.5°C.
Fri 13:24
FRIDAY'S ITINERARY
Friday heads further north for two loops of three stages covering 105.34km. Morning and afternoon runs through Roure / Roubion / Beuil (18.33km), Puget-Théniers / Saint-Antonin (19.79km) and Briançonnet / Entrevaux (14.55km) are on the schedule.
To make matters even more difficult, once the cars leave the comfort of Monaco’s rally base on Friday morning, there will be no service until they return just before 1900hrs that evening. It means the drivers must make do with a tyre change only in Puget-Théniers between loops
Friday's itinerary
Fri 13:23
| FRIDAY | VITAL STATS |
|---|---|
| START | 0701hrs (first car into service) |
| NUMBER OF STAGES | 6 |
| STAGE DISTANCE | 105.34km |
| FINISH | 1944hrs (first car into parc fermé) |
FRIDAY MORNING: WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Sébastien Ogier threw caution to the wind on Thursday evening’s opening leg at Rallye Monte-Carlo to end a spectacular opening night of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship season with a useful advantage.
Ogier, an eight-time winner in the French Alps, was in a league of his own as he blasted his Toyota GR Yaris to a brace of fastest times, heading team-mate Elfyn Evans by 6.0sec after 40.02km of competition.
Read more here.
STANDINGS AFTER THURSDAY (SS2 /18):
| Pos. | Driver | Time | |
| 1. | Ogier |  |
26min 33.7sec |
| 2. | Evans | |
+6.0sec |
| 3. | Tänak |  |
+15.4sec |
| 4. | Neuville |  |
+15.5sec |
| 5. | Rovanperä | |
+17.1sec |
| 6. | Sordo | |
+32.1sec |
Fri 02:21 SS2: SERDERIDIS
(Slid wide into a ditch at 10.5km. Over 1min dropped)
"I went straight on the black ice. I could not reverse so I lost around one-minute there. But we are still here!"
Fri 02:15 SS3: LOUBET
"I think I was too careful in the difficult part. It's like that. We keep our minds on what we have to do and let's continue. It's not too bad, after two stages in the dark, to be at the end tonight."
Fri 02:12 SS2: LAPPI
"There was some ice and I didn't know where it was. I was driving at walking speed throughout this section. I am not really happy at the moment but when the grip is fine I can push, it's not a problem."
Fri 02:10 SERDERIDIS
Off the road and into a ditch on the same corner which caught out Neuville. Spectators have pushed him back on and he's moving again now.
Fri 02:09 SS2: SORDO
"The middle part was very tricky. We had information it was slippery at one point and we slowed down a lot. We will see tomorrow."
Fri 02:06 SS2: OGIER
"It's a good start. Not easy - there was almost nothing apart from one corner with some black ice. At least for once we are not first on the road and we can use it to our advantage."
Fri 02:04 SS2: KATSUTA (+45sec down on fastest time, handbrake issue error showing on dashboard)
"We couldn't do any hairpins."
Fri 02:00 SS2: EVANS
"It's been pretty okay. In here it could have been better but it's so difficut. I didn't go as well as I'd have liked but it was all okay."
Fri 01:57 SS2: NEUVILLE
(Stalled after sliding wide at 10.5km)
"I don't know what happened to be honest. There was zero grip and I was not the first one to go wide there for sure. I could see the lines but I was already too late. I lost probably seven or eight seconds because the car stalled."
Fri 01:51 SS2: TÄNAK
"It's the same. We will go back to service now to fix it properly. It's been a big challenge."
Fri 01:48 SS2: ROVANPERÄ (Ran wide on the same corner as Neuville)
"I managed the tyres a bit better at the beginning of the stage. Tricky conditions with some ice patches, but the main thing is that we are here."
Fri 01:48 NEUVILLE
Lucky to get away with a big slide into a bank. He was caught out by black ice on a tight left-hander.
Fri 01:33 SS2: LIVE!
Rovanperä has started SS2, La Cabanette / Col de Castillon. At 24.90km, it's the longest stage of the rally.
Fri 01:25 SS1: GRYAZIN (WRC2)
"It's good. The pace notes feel quite good but I made a lot of mistakes because the front tyres immediately overheated. I am quite surprised at the time because I was understeering so much."
Fri 01:21 GRAVEL NOTES: SS2
It's another bone-dry stage. There are some dusty sections, but grip levels should be okay. The temperature at the stop line is +2.5°C.
Fri 01:21 SS1: LEFEBVRE (WRC2)
"I tried to manage the tyres - we are on softs and even they were too soft. I think this weekend is going to be tricky for tyre management."
Fri 01:18 SS1: ROSSEL (WRC2) (Stalled on the startline)
"I think I am just an amateur! I lost five seconds, I think. It's not too important."
Fri 01:18 OGIER WINS OPENING STAGE OF 2023
Sébastien Ogier's bid for a ninth Rallye Monte-Carlo victory is off to a flying start, with the Frenchman opening up a slender lead over team-mate Elfyn Evans after SS1. Just 1.3sec split the Toyota twins over 15.12km.
Almost five seconds further back in third place is Thierry Neuville, who had no issues to report on his run up to the Col de Turini.
M-Sport Ford Puma debutant Ott Tänak dropped 8.6sec. The Estonian has lost fifth gear and complained of an electrical issue which seems to be affecting his gear changes.
| Pos. | Driver | Time | |
| 1. | Ogier | |
10min 22.9sec |
| 2. | Evans | |
+1.3sec |
| 3. | Neuville | |
+6.0sec |
| 4. | Katsuta | |
+6.9sec |
| 5. | Rovanperä | |
+7.4sec |
| 6. | Tänak | |
+8.6sec |
SS1: SERDERIDIS
"Difficult. I was having some problems with my visibility. It's not a perfect start but it was not bad."
Fri 01:11 SS1: LOUBET
"It was okay. For my first time in Turini at night, not so bad. We want to be at the end of tonight and this was a good first stage, not so far back from the other guys. Let's continue."
Fri 01:05 SS1: LAPPI
"All good. There are many corners which I don't remember and I feel stupid when I arrive on the apex. I should have been much faster. I know how to improve the times quite quickly, but especially in the dark it's not easy to memorise the stage. I am quite satisfied with the start."
Fri 01:05 SS1: SORDO
"It's true we were a little bit slow. We just tried to be clean but maybe at some points we were backing off."
Fri 01:01 SS1: OGIER
"It was okay. Very dry conditions but very slippery at the end with the salt. A clean start for us. Anybody who says the nerves are not there either has a problem or is lying!"
Fri 00:59 SS1: KATSUTA
"It's tricky this one - especially in the dark and with these kind of temperatures, but the gravel crew did a great job. It's all okay."
Fri 00:56 SS1: EVANS
"I'm a bit surprised [to be fastest by 4.7sec] . The stage was okay but there's very low grip at the end and it's difficult to know how you're doing."
Fri 00:51 SS1: NEUVILLE
"That's good, but it was not a perfect stage. It's difficult to kick-off at night in such difficult conditions, but generally I was smooth and had a good feeling. I am looking forward to the next one."
Fri 00:50 SS1: TÄNAK
"We had some electrical issues in the road section. We can't use fifth gear and every gear change is a pain, We will try to get it home."
Fri 00:50 SS1: ROVANPERÄ
"Quite okay. I don't really enjoy these stages a lot - I don't like the characteristics of the stage but I tried my best. The soft tyre is moving quite a lot so I just tried to find the right pace to look after the tyre."
Fri 00:34 SS1: LIVE!
2023 is go! Kalle Rovanperä launches his Toyota GR Yaris into the opening stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Fri 00:23 GRAVEL NOTES: SS1
The stage is bone dry, save for a few small damp patches up at the Col. Temperatures vary from 2.5°C at the start to -5°C at the finish.
Fri 00:21 RUNNING ORDER FOR THIS EVENING
Drivers will start in order of last year's championship standings, meaning Kalle Rovanperä opens the road.
- Rovanperä
- Tänak
- Neuville
- Evans
- Katsuta
- Ogier
- Sordo
- Lappi
- Loubet
- Serderidis
Fri 00:16 PAJARI WITHDRAWS
Bad news for WRC2 youngster Sami Pajari - he's just announced that he will not be starting the rally.
Read more here. Pajari withdraws
OGIER TOPS MONTE-CARLO SHAKEDOWN
The 2023 FIA World Rally Championship season roared into action at Rallye Monte-Carlo’s shakedown on Thursday morning. Sébastien Ogier was fastest out of the blocks.
The eight-time world champion, beginning his second consecutive part-programme for Toyota Gazoo Racing, stopped the clocks three-tenths of a second faster than GR Yaris Rally1 team-mate Kalle Rovanperä in the 2.29km mountain test from Sainte-Agnes to Peille.
Thu 14:30
STANDINGS AFTER SHAKEDOWN, FIRST PASS:
| Pos. | Driver | Time | |
| 1. | Neuville | |
1min 46.8sec |
| 2. | Rovanperä | |
+0.9sec |
| 3. | Sordo | |
+1.0sec |
| 4. | Ogier | |
+1.2sec |
| 5. | Loubet | |
+1.5sec |
| 6. | Tänak | |
+2.0sec |
Thu 14:23 SD: SERDERIDIS
Great to have Jourdan back in the championship - fielding a Puma with Fred Miclotte alongside.
"It's very tight and a little bit slippery at the end, but for me it was nice. The car is also very nice and everything is okay for the moment."
Thu 14:20 SD: LOUBET
The Frenchman is fastest of the Ford drivers so far.
"We didn't do the shakedown last year, so I think the time is not so bad. I will try to enjoy but I know it will be difficult for us because we don't know so much the rally."
Thu 14:18 SD: LAPPI
It's a steady run for EP as he settles himself into a brand-new (to him) car.
"I am very excited. For sure, it's a big challenge as always but I think we are ready."
Thu 14:16 SD: SORDO
Third-fastest so far on his opening run.
"It's a nice road with nice conditions. The first feelings with the car are all good so it's nice."
Thu 14:14 SD: OGIER
Ogier's bidding for a record-breaking ninth Rallye Monte-Carlo this week...
"It's hard to know what to expect. There's not so much snow but already there is some frost this morning. I always enjoy coming here."
Thu 14:12 SD: KATSUTA
It's a big year for Taka. For the first time in his career, he'll score points for Toyota on a handful of rallies.
"Of course I am excited. The weather is not so bad but the temperatures are going to be quite tricky. It's going to be proper Monte conditions."
Thu 14:09 SD: EVANS
The Welshman's back for his fourth season with Toyota.
"It's a nice route but it's difficult to know what we're going to face in terms of the weather. All good so far."
Thu 14:06 SD: NEUVILLE
Fastest so far aboard his Hyundai i20 N.
"I am happy to be here again. We are kicking off the new season with the same targets and I am looking forward to it. I think we can expect a more exciting season than last year - all three teams should be in the game from the start."
Thu 14:06 SD: TÄNAK
Tänak's in new colours this year as he joins British team M-Sport Ford. Only nine-tenths slwer than Rovanperä.
"We will see. We have a lot to discover for sure and it's not going to be easy. Let's get it started and we will see where we are."
Thu 14:04 SD: ROVANPERÄ
1min 47.7sec is the time to beat...
"The feeling is good. It's always exciting to start the new season, so let's see what we can do in Monte this year. I hope it's better than last year."
Thu 14:01 SD: LIVE!
Rovanperä has started the shakedown. We'll be hearing from all the Rally1 drivers at the end of this run.
Thu 13:57
RUNNING ORDER FOR SHAKEDOWN
The starting order is based on last year's championship positions, meaning Kalle Rovanperä starts first.
- Rovanperä
- Tänak
- Neuville
- Evans
- Katsuta
- Ogier
- Sordo
- Lappi
- Loubet
- Serderidis
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