Elfyn Evans, last year’s championship runner-up, started the Rallye Monte Carlo on a high note, dominating the opening night stages in dry conditions. His impressive performance allowed him to open up a significant 15.1-second lead over Thierry Neuville from Hyundai. While Evans excelled, it was a challenging evening for Hyundai as all three of their entries encountered issues. Ott Tanak, one of their drivers, battled a throttle problem and ended the loop in fourth place. Meanwhile, nine-time Monte Carlo winner Sebastien Ogier secured the third position.
Adrien Fourmaux made a strong statement on his full-time Rally1 return with M-Sport. He delivered an impressive performance, securing the fifth position overall. His skill and determination were evident as he finished 39.0 seconds behind the leader. Takamoto Katsuta from Toyota followed closely behind, securing the sixth position. Gregoire Munster from M-Sport and Hyundai’s new recruit, Andreas Mikkelsen, rounded out the top eight positions.
Elfyn Evans set the benchmark time on the opening stage of the season, showcasing his exceptional skills on the dry asphalt. Despite uncertainty about whether he had utilized the grip to its fullest potential, his time on the 21.01km Thoard-St Geniez stage was more than enough to win the test. Ott Tanak from Hyundai came closest to challenging Evans, but his time was 5.2 seconds adrift. Tanak did face some issues with a throttle problem during the stage, mentioning that their car was too soft. Thierry Neuville, also from Hyundai, was 3.1 seconds slower than his new teammate but managed to outperform Sebastien Ogier by 1.5 seconds.
As the rally progressed, Elfyn Evans maintained his impressive start by winning stage two. The Welsh driver triumphed in the Bayons-Breziers stage, showcasing his exceptional driving skills. Thierry Neuville followed closely behind, 6.8 seconds adrift. Unfortunately, Ott Tanak experienced a worsening throttle issue on his Hyundai, which caused him to drop to fourth place overall. Sebastien Ogier was able to take advantage of Tanak’s problem, climbing to the third position. Despite the challenges faced by Hyundai, Evans continued to dominate and extend his lead.
In the WRC2 category, Pepe Lopez from Skoda led the way, displaying his talent and expertise. Meanwhile, Sami Pajari proved to be the best of the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 runners, securing the fourth position in his class. He was closely followed by the Citroen duo of Nikolay Gryazin and Yohan Rossel.
The excitement of the Rallye Monte Carlo continues as the rally progresses to Friday, featuring six scheduled stages with a total distance of 105.72km. Elfyn Evans will look to maintain his dominance and extend his lead further. However, the competition remains fierce, with Thierry Neuville and Sebastien Ogier determined to challenge his position. As the drivers navigate through more challenging stages and conditions, the rally promises to deliver intense action and thrill for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.
Elfyn Evans has made an impressive start to the Rallye Monte Carlo, showcasing his skill and dominance on the dry asphalt. While Hyundai faced challenges with their entries, Adrien Fourmaux impressed on his return, and Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta displayed his capabilities. The rally continues to excite as the drivers prepare for the next stages, providing fans with an electrifying motorsport spectacle.
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