Ogier takes power ahead of Evans and Fourmaux at Monte-Carlo

After a morning concluded by a special stage full of twists and turns on this Monte-Carlo Rally, the big question of midday concerned the two world champions of the Hyundai team, Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak. Both made mistakes in SS6, they gave their mechanics a hard time – and especially a lot of trouble – who managed to get the two i20 Ns back to normal in the time allotted for assistance.

The Belgian was therefore able to open the road on time for the second pass in the special linking Saint-Maurice to Aubessagne (18.68 km). He found a road still very degraded, with ice in places and more muddy portions.

“Thanks to the guys for fixing the car, I’m happy to be here”underlined the reigning world champion. “It’s not easy, I don’t have confidence in the grip. There’s no trajectory and you end up in the mud. I’m not comfortable and it’s a bit scary.”

On SS7, Sébastien Ogier conceded 6″7 to leader Elfyn Evans, who took a nice scratch confirming his good disposition. “It’s better than this morning in terms of grip, but I obviously didn’t attack enough”laconically indicated the Frenchman upon arrival. Adrien Fourmaux, like Kalle Rovanperä, paid the price of getting considerably dirty at the end of the course.

Ogier as at home, Fourmaux confirms

Canceled during the first loop due to an incident among the public, the well-known special stage between Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes and La Bâtie-Neuve (18.31 km) could this time be completed. Although most of this section was dry, it had some particularly tricky icy areas to negotiate, notably trapping Elfyn Evans, who went into a half-spin at very low speed and lost six seconds in the incident.

Disappointed at not having completed this special on his land in the morning, Sébastien Ogier hit hard and particularly excelled on the icy section, where he made the difference. The Frenchman signed this scratch which was close to his heart with a 3.9″ lead over Adrien Fourmaux, at the same time taking back 14.7″ and the lead of the rally from Elfyn Evans.

Particularly lively this afternoon, the La Bréole-Selonnet special (18.31 km) served as an encore for Thierry Neuville, victim of a puncture and made a mistake in exactly the same hairpin as a few hours earlier! “We tried to go as far as possible, but at one point the tire came loose”explained the Hyundai driver, who lost more than two minutes.

This SS9 smiled on the French: Sébastien Ogier increased his lead in the general classification and took the scratch with a 2.8″ lead over Adrien Fourmaux, well and truly on the provisional podium of this Monte-Carlo Rally. The trio of lead, led by the eight-time world champion, was regrouped at the end of this day in less than 15 seconds.

Friday afternoon scratches
ES7	18,68 km	Saint-Maurice / Aubessagne 2	E. Evans
ES8	16,68 km	Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve 2	S. Ogier
ES9	18,31 km	La Bréole / Quellenet 2	S. Ogier

Monte-Carlo Rally – Ranking after SS9