Gap (AFP)

The Briton Elfyn Evans (Toyota) veered at the top of the Monte-Carlo rally classification on Friday after 5 stages, ahead of the Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and the French Sébastien Ogier (Toyota).

The day was marked by the retirement of reigning world champion Ott Tänak (Hyundai), who got off the road violently during the 4th special. The Estonian pilot and his co-pilot Martin Järveola were unharmed but were taken to hospital for routine examinations.

Mid-day Rally Monte-Carlo classification Friday:

1. Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (GBR-Toyota) 1: 04: 54.9

2. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (BEL-Hyundai) at 8.9 seconds

3. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (FRA-Toyota) at 9.7

4. Sébastien Loeb / Daniel Elena (FRA / MON-Hyundai) at 48.4

5. Esapekka Lappi / Jan Ferm (FIN-MSport Ford) at 1: 29.9

6. Kalle Rovanperä / Jonne Halttunen (FIN-Toyota) at 1: 54.5

7. Takamoto Katsuta / Daniel Barritt (JPN / GBR-Toyota)) at 4: 10.8

8. Eric Camilli / François-Xavier Buresi (FRA-Citroën), 1st WRC3 at 4: 42.8

9. Ole Christian Veiby / Jonas Andersson (NOR / SUE-Hyundai) 1st WRC2 at 5: 09.9

10. Nicolas Ciamin / Yannick Roche (FRA-Citroën), 2nd WRC3 at 5: 48.7

ES winners: Elfyn Evans (ES3, ES4, ES5), Thierry Neuville (ES2), Sébastien Ogier (ES1)

Main withdrawals: Ott Tänak (Hyundai), Gus Greensmith (MSport-Ford)

© 2020 AFP