Gap (AFP)
He's the boss: Frenchman Sébastien Ogier returned to the lead of the Rallye Monte-Carlo, first round of the World Championship (WRC), and is 13 seconds ahead of his Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans on Saturday, the day before the last one. day.
Despite brake problems Thursday, a puncture and a spin on Friday, the seven-time world champion Ogier won five specials out of ten.
He is in a strong position before the last four qualifying sessions on Sunday in this closed-door Monte-Carlo.
Toyota is doing much better than Hyundai by placing its three drivers on the provisional podium: Ogier, Evans and the young Finnish talent Kalle Rovanperä, 56.8 seconds behind the Frenchman.
On the Hyundai side, Thierry Neuville is 4th, about one minute from Ogier, and Dani Sordo 5th, more than two minutes.
Like last year, Estonian Ott Tänak had to retire when he was 3rd at the end of the 7th special, after two punctures in SS8 and SS9.
Ogier took the first fastest time at dawn and was only edged by Evans by a 3/10 second in the third special at midday.
But in Saturday's second special, at an average altitude of 1,000 meters and on snow, the cards were redistributed.
On fresh snow, the first starters were favored while the following skated on slushy slush.
Neuville, winner last year but just discovering his new co-driver, took the opportunity to win his first special in 2021.
Benefiting from his position as an opener, Pierre-Louis Loubet completed this SS10 just behind Neuville and now hopes to finish his first "Monte", to gain experience at 23.
Loubet, the other Frenchman entered in the WRC, did not finish the day on Friday after an accident but was able to leave after repairs in a stormy night under a strong storm at the Gap service park.
© 2021 AFP