the french pilot Sebastien Ogier started the Monte Carlo Rally with a resounding victory on day one and cruised to his ninth win here after the ‘shakedown’ and the first two timed specials before the British Elfyn Evans and from finnish Ott Tanak.
The kick-off of the World Championship ended in almost perfect news for Toyota, which is defending the manufacturers’ title. ogier and evans occupy the first two positions. However, the current world champion, the Finn Calle Rovanpera, closed the day in fifth position and will need to overcome a difference of 17.1 seconds if he wants to make up ground. Meanwhile, the Spaniards Dani is deaf (Hyundai), was sixth, 32.1 seconds behind Ogier.
Toyota the world championship started strong. In the morning, he dominated the ‘shakedown’ with the first hit of ogier, which began its attack on the lead after finishing in first position. behind, done Rovanperä in three tenths, while the best Hyundai is Thierry Neuvillein third place at four tenths. Dani is deaffifth, came to mark the second best time in the second pass.
In the evening, the highlight of the first day came with a two-time special. ogier, with a small advantage gained in the ‘shakedown’, took to the asphalt with the aim of finishing the opening day in first place. On the asphalt without a trace of snow, he did not give a step to his rivals. Rovanpera he fell off the hook in the first special (he finished in fifth place) and EvansJust 1.3 seconds back, put Ogier on a leash.
However, the French driver withstood the pressure from the British and once again won the second time special with intelligence. This Friday he will fight to keep his status in a day with six sections: a pair of passes in Roure/Roubion/Beuil, of 18.33 kilometers; Puget-Théniers/Saint-Antonin, 19.79; and Briançonnet/Entrevaux, 14.55
Monte Carlo Rally classification after day one
1. Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (FRA/FRA-Toyota) 26:33.7
2. Elfyn Evans/ Scott Martin (GBR/GBR-Toyota) at 6.0″
3. Ott Tänak/Martin Jarveoja (EST/EST-M-Sport Ford) at 15.4″
4. Thierry Neuville/ Martijn Wydaeghe (BÉL/BÉL-Hyundai) at 15.5″
5. Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (FIN/FIN-Toyota) at 17.1″
6. Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera (ESP/ESP-Hyundai) at 32.1″
7. Pierre-Louis Loubet/Nicolas Gilsoul (FRA/FRA-M-Sport Ford) at 40.3″
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
