French Sebastien Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) is in the lead of Monte-Carlo, the first round of the 2023 World Rally Championship season, following the two stages contested this Thursday evening.
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) is in fourth place, 15.5 seconds behind the leader, following notably losing a few seconds by being trapped in a very slippery corner. TN only a tenth of a second behind the third, There, Tanak (Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1), victim of electrical and gearbox problems.
Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), second on the road, took a very good second place, 6.0 seconds behind his French teammate.
The famous night of Turini, disputed on completely dry roads… or almost (forty kilometers without snow or ice, apart from the few tens of meters which trapped Thierry Neuville et Kalle Rovanperafifth at 17.1 seconds), therefore smiled at the child of the country.
Sebastien Ogierrecord holder of victories over Monte-Carlo (eight, tied with Sebastien Loeb), scored the scratch in the opening special of the rally (La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini 1, 15.12 km), before doing it once more in SS2, the longest special of the event (La Cabanette / Col de Castillon, 24.90 km).
Third in the first special, 6.0 seconds behind his Gapença rival, Thierry Neuville lost another 9.5 seconds in SS2, mainly due to his small exit from the road. However, the leader of the Hyundai Motorsport team remains well placed in the fight for the podium, if not for victory.
On Friday, two loops of three stages and 105.34 kilometers to be covered once morest the clock will feature on the crew programme.