Seb Ogier leads the Monte Carlo shakedown

The eight-time world champion Sebastien OgierStarting his second consecutive partial program for Toyota Gazoo Racing, he clocked three-tenths faster than his Yaris Rally1 teammate Kalle Rovanperä in the 2.29km shakedown between Sainte-Agnes and Peille where he The program for Thursday of the first day of the Monte Carlo Rally where the 2023 WRC World Championship opens.

Hyundai Motorsport’s Thierry Neuville completed the podium a tenth behind Rovanperä, as only 1.1 seconds separated the top six drivers.

“It’s hard to know what to expect here, as always. It all depends on the conditions we’re up against, it doesn’t seem like much snow, but it’s still tricky conditions, it’s a bit icy this morning,” said Ogier.

Neuville was fastest on the first pass in his i20 N Rally1 before Rovanperä topped the timesheets on the next pass. Ogier took the lead in the final part of the session, setting the fastest time in his third and final run.

Shakedown classification

2.29 km between Sainte-Agnes and Peille

1.S.Ogier (Fra/Toyota) 1:44.6
2. K. Rovanpera (Fin/Toyota) +0.3
3. T. Neuville (Bel/Hyundai) +0.4
4 E. Evans (GB/Toyota) +0.5
5. D. Deaf (ESP/Hyundai) +0.9
6. P. Loubet (Fra/Ford Puma M-Sport) +1.1
7. O. Tänak (Est/Ford Puma M-Sport) +1.5
8. E. Lappi (Fin/Hyundai) +2.4
9. T. Katsuta (Japanese/Toyota) +2.8
10. J. Serderidis (private Gre/Ford-Puma) +12.5

Along with Elfyn Evans, there are now three Toyotas in the top four. He finished 0″ 1 behind Neuville, with team-mate Dani Sordo fifth, four-tenths adrift. The next two positions were filled by two M-Sport Ford drivers, Pierre-Louis Loubet and Ott Tänak, the latter for the first time with a Cougar.

Another driver making his debut in a new car this week is Esapekka Lappi, who switched from Toyota to Hyundai during the winter. The Finn achieved the eighth fastest time, while Takamoto Katsuta and Jourdan Serderidis completed the classification.

The first day of the Monte Carlo Rally continues in the evening with the first two superspecials, starting at 8:05 pm La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini 1 (15.12 km) and at 9:03 pm La Cabanette / Col de Castillon ( 24.90 km).

Monte Carlo Rally Schedule

Thursday January 19
8:05 pm SS1: La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini 1 (15.12 km)
9:03 pm SS2: La Cabanette / Col de Castillon (24.90 km)
Friday January 20
9:09 am SS3: Roure / Roubion / Beuil (18.33 km)
10:22 am SS4: Puget-Théniers / Saint-Antonin (19.79 km)
11:25 am SS5: Briançonnet / Entrevaux (14.55 km)
2:23 pm SS6: Roure / Roubion / Beuil (18.33 km)
3:36 pm SS7: Puget-Théniers / Saint-Antonin (19.79 km)
4:19 pm SS8: Briançonnet / Entrevaux (14.55 km)
Saturday January 21
8:24 am SS9: Le Fugeret / Thorame-Haute (16.80 km)
10:05 am SS10: Malijai / Puimichel (17.31 km)
12:17 pm SS11: Ubraye / Entrevaux (21.78 km)
2:31 pm SS12: Le Fugeret / Thorame-Haute (16.80 km)
4:05 pm SS13: Malijai / Puimichel (17.31 km)
18:23h SS14: Ubraye / Entrevaux (21.78 km)
Sunday January 22
7:57am SS15: Luceram / Lantosque (18.82km)
9:05 am SS16: La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini (15.12 km)
10:40am SS17: Luceram / Lantosque (18.82km)
12:18 pm SS18 (Power Stage): La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini (15.12 km)