Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), reigning world champion, took the lead in the Monte-Carlo Rally, the first round of the WRC season, after the first three special stages contested on Thursday evening. The Belgian is just two seconds ahead of Welsh vice-champion Elfyn Evans (Toyota).
Eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, again engaged in a partial program with Toyota this year, is third, just over twelve seconds behind. Author of two scratch times at the start of the evening, the Frenchman lost almost 15 seconds on the last special of the day after a driving error, narrowly avoiding leaving the road.
Double world champion Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota), who is making his full-time return to the elite this weekend after partially putting aside his rally career last year, is in provisional sixth place, accusing a delay of almost 44 seconds on Neuville. The Finn is ahead of Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux, provisionally fifth for his first rally with Hyundai.
