Monte Carlo Rally 2014
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Crash
Ogier has exactly the same problem as Ostberg!
He shoots off the road after the finish and goes through a field to avoid running into the timing crew and media after the finish.
He shoots off the road after the finish and goes through a field to avoid running into the timing crew and media after the finish.
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He gets back on course without problems.
"The stop at the time control is far too close to the finish. I came flat over the finish and then it was totally shiny Tarmac and aquaplaning.
"I chose to go off rather than run into everybody in front of me."
"The stop at the time control is far too close to the finish. I came flat over the finish and then it was totally shiny Tarmac and aquaplaning.
"I chose to go off rather than run into everybody in front of me."
Crash
Ostberg came through second quickest then went off the road following the flying finish.
Interesting splits coming in: Ogier was a bit slower than Latvala on the first part of the stage and at that point was being outpaced by both Meeke and Bouffier.
But Ogier seems to be raising his game in the middle of the stage, where suddenly he's a lot quicker than Latvala was.
Let's wait and see how Meeke, Bouffier and Kubica compare.
But Ogier seems to be raising his game in the middle of the stage, where suddenly he's a lot quicker than Latvala was.
Let's wait and see how Meeke, Bouffier and Kubica compare.
Stopwatch
Latvala in next. He's very fast, but very unhappy.
"The time is very good, but it's not enjoyable at all," he grimaces.
"Really difficult conditions with a lot of rain, a lot of standing water.
"Luckily we still had a snow tyre cross, without that it would've been a disaster."
"The time is very good, but it's not enjoyable at all," he grimaces.
"Really difficult conditions with a lot of rain, a lot of standing water.
"Luckily we still had a snow tyre cross, without that it would've been a disaster."
Hirvonen says his problem is that his Fiesta's windscreen wouldn't demist until the final few kilometres so he had to do most of the stage unable to see properly.
Hirvonen finishes the stage and is 24s slower than Mikkelsen.
A better run for Mikkelsen that time, with Melicharek upping his pace there was no traffic jam on the stage.
Ogier is now onto the stage, but he's not as quick as the very rapid pace his team-mate Latvala is setting.
This stage is going to be very revealing for Bouffier's chances of keeping Ogier at arm's length.
This stage is going to be very revealing for Bouffier's chances of keeping Ogier at arm's length.
Stopwatch
Latvala is quickest of all by a long way on the first split.
Possible problem for eighth-placed Hirvonen on this stage with a slow first split time.
Lights out
Back to Monte Carlo, SS8 is go and Melicharek is getting onto the stage.
As a reminder, it's Bouffier leading Ogier by 35s overall, Meeke 12s back and 5s ahead of Kubica, then Ostberg, Latvala, Evans and Hirvonen.
As a reminder, it's Bouffier leading Ogier by 35s overall, Meeke 12s back and 5s ahead of Kubica, then Ostberg, Latvala, Evans and Hirvonen.
Last year WRC2 was in the headlines as it proved a good springboard for Robert Kubica and Elfyn Evans to get into World Rally Cars.
It's fair to say that this weekend's Protasov/Kremer/Bertelli/Robert Barrable fight isn't getting the same profile, but keep an eye on WRC2 as the season progresses as some big names are heading for it.
Citroen's latest rapid French Sebastien (Chardonnet) will be competing in WRC2 as part of his prize drive for winning last year's WRC3 title. Remember yesterday Chardonnet briefly put his WRC3-spec Citroen fourth overall!
WRC2 is also where sometime M-Sport protege Ott Tanak is making his WRC comeback, as team-mate to the very rapid Jari Ketomaa in the DMACK-backed Autotek operation.
It's fair to say that this weekend's Protasov/Kremer/Bertelli/Robert Barrable fight isn't getting the same profile, but keep an eye on WRC2 as the season progresses as some big names are heading for it.
Citroen's latest rapid French Sebastien (Chardonnet) will be competing in WRC2 as part of his prize drive for winning last year's WRC3 title. Remember yesterday Chardonnet briefly put his WRC3-spec Citroen fourth overall!
WRC2 is also where sometime M-Sport protege Ott Tanak is making his WRC comeback, as team-mate to the very rapid Jari Ketomaa in the DMACK-backed Autotek operation.
Evgeny Novikov
Speaking of Protasov...
Evgeny Novikov is back in M-Sport this season, but not wearing a race suit. Instead, the Russian rocket is ice noting for the Ukranian WRC2 racer.
Novikov admitted just before Christmas that he hadn't got a full-time seat for 2014 after losing his M-Sport drive.
The other big development on the opening stage was that WRC2 leader Yuriy Protasov had a puncture and fell behind Armin Kremer and Lorenzo Bertelli.
First onto stage eight will be Slovakian newcomer Jaroslav Melicharek again.
Andreas Mikkelsen wasn't pleased to have to overtake him on stage seven.
The rookie's over-cautious choice of winter tyres is making him very slow, and with cars starting the stages two minutes apart, Mikkelsen is concerned he have to dodge around Melicharek again, although it might not be an issue on this shorter stage.
Andreas Mikkelsen wasn't pleased to have to overtake him on stage seven.
The rookie's over-cautious choice of winter tyres is making him very slow, and with cars starting the stages two minutes apart, Mikkelsen is concerned he have to dodge around Melicharek again, although it might not be an issue on this shorter stage.
Marc Duez
Veteran all-rounder Marc Duez is tackling the event in a Porsche 997.
He made it through the opening day and is currently battling his way through SS7.
Unfortunately a rear-wheel drive 997 wasn't really the ideal machine for yesterday's snowy/icy/muddy stages!
Duez does have the advantage of having Delecour as a neighbour - the pair of them are great mates, so solid advice on getting through the Monte is never far away for the Belgian star.
Just under 20 minutes until the second and final stage of this morning's loop.
The 22.68km of Selonnet-Breziers, which we expect to be very wet indeed, is only run once.
After the cars go to service, they repeat this morning's 49km Vitrolles-Faye monster in the afternoon then go to the classic 36.85km Sisteron-Thoard.
A quick pause, but no service, and then leg two ends after dark with the 20.77km Clumanc-Lambruisse stage at 6pm local time.
The 22.68km of Selonnet-Breziers, which we expect to be very wet indeed, is only run once.
After the cars go to service, they repeat this morning's 49km Vitrolles-Faye monster in the afternoon then go to the classic 36.85km Sisteron-Thoard.
A quick pause, but no service, and then leg two ends after dark with the 20.77km Clumanc-Lambruisse stage at 6pm local time.
Francois Delecour's Ford
Francois Delecour's latest WRC return was one of the tantalising pre-rally stories, but his car failed on the opening stage yesterday morning.
It was rapidly stripped of its livery once back in service yesterday.
Wonder which colours that car will arrive on round two in?
Possibly the colours of Henning Solberg, who has been tipped for a return to the WRC in Sweden next month.
Breaking news
Plenty more of you joining us on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live in the last few minutes as the European morning begins, so here's a quick recap of what's happened in Monte Carlo so far today on the rally's longest stage:
* Meeke pulled 5s clear of Kubica in their battle for what is now third.
* Latvala's recovery drive brought him ahead of Evans and up to sixth. His next target is Ostberg, 44s up the road, while Evans must watch for M-Sport team-mate Hirvonen, who is 25s behind.
Stage eight is just over half an hour away.
Sebastien Ogier
* Meeke pulled 5s clear of Kubica in their battle for what is now third.
* Latvala's recovery drive brought him ahead of Evans and up to sixth. His next target is Ostberg, 44s up the road, while Evans must watch for M-Sport team-mate Hirvonen, who is 25s behind.
Stage eight is just over half an hour away.
Thursday was certainly an amazing day for motorsport.
While the Monte Carlo Rally provided competition thrills, in Formula 1 we had Bernie Ecclestone learning that he would stand trial in Germany and then stepping down from the sport's board, Red Bull confirming it would make it to the first 2014 test, a NASCAR team boss launching a bid to get on the 2015 F1 grid and Ron Dennis returning to a leading role at McLaren.
While the Monte Carlo Rally provided competition thrills, in Formula 1 we had Bernie Ecclestone learning that he would stand trial in Germany and then stepping down from the sport's board, Red Bull confirming it would make it to the first 2014 test, a NASCAR team boss launching a bid to get on the 2015 F1 grid and Ron Dennis returning to a leading role at McLaren.
No such worries in Monte Carlo, where the top four is an M-Sport customer, a VW, a Citroen and a satellite M-Sport car.
Stephane Peterhansel
Elsewhere in rallying, the 2014 Dakar was building to an incredible conclusion as Stephane Peterhansel hunted down leader Nani Roma following his delays in the first week.
But yesterday - to Peterhansel's clear disappointment - their X-raid Mini team called off the battle and asked its drivers to hold station.
Here's the full story:
X-raid Mini calls off Dakar lead battle
There's one more stage in this morning's loop, starting in 50 minutes' time.
Our big storyline now has to be the brewing lead battle: can Bouffier stay ahead of Ogier with 35s between them right now?
The forecast for the rest of the day is a lot more rain, but the snow might return for Saturday, when the rally finishes after dark at around 10pm local time.
Our big storyline now has to be the brewing lead battle: can Bouffier stay ahead of Ogier with 35s between them right now?
The forecast for the rest of the day is a lot more rain, but the snow might return for Saturday, when the rally finishes after dark at around 10pm local time.
We've had a change in WRC2 on that stage.
Yuriy Protasov led at the end of Thursday, but a puncture this morning means he's now back in third behind Armin Kremer and Lorenzo Bertelli.
Yuriy Protasov led at the end of Thursday, but a puncture this morning means he's now back in third behind Armin Kremer and Lorenzo Bertelli.
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Elfyn Evans
Evans was being very sensible indeed about the task in hand when AUTOSPORT spoke to him yesterday evening:
"This is the dream and a bit more. Taking into account our objectives, this has been exactly what we wanted.
"We've been on the safe side in terms of driving and tyre choices all day and I'm pleased we've been able to maintain what we started this morning.
"But, I'm under no illusions here. I'm not ahead of Mikko on pure speed, but there haven't been any massive, massive gaps [to the leader] on the stages.
"This is the deep end and we have been forced to learn the hard way.
"There's a very, very long way to go and Friday especially is a long day.
"We came here with the objective of finishing and this is more than what we wanted, so I am fairly happy."
Elfyn Evans has fallen to seventh overall behind Latvala with a cautious run on that stage. But there's no shame in that on his debut.
Checkered flag
Here are the standings following SS7:
Stage times: 1 Ogier 29m00.1s; 2 Bouffier +11.7s; 3 Meeke +20.5s; 4 Kubica +24.8s; 5 Mikkelsen +30.7s; 6 Latvala +34.2s.
Overall: 1 Bouffier; 2 Ogier +35.6s; 3 Meeke +47.6s; 4 Kubica +52.6s; 5 Ostberg +1m59.2s; 6 Latvala +2m43.3s.
Stage times: 1 Ogier 29m00.1s; 2 Bouffier +11.7s; 3 Meeke +20.5s; 4 Kubica +24.8s; 5 Mikkelsen +30.7s; 6 Latvala +34.2s.
Overall: 1 Bouffier; 2 Ogier +35.6s; 3 Meeke +47.6s; 4 Kubica +52.6s; 5 Ostberg +1m59.2s; 6 Latvala +2m43.3s.
Bouffier is second fastest, 11s slower than Ogier. That keeps him 35s ahead of the world champion after the rally's longest stage.
That's not bad at all, especially considering Bouffier has had very little time in the Fiesta (particularly in comparison to Ogier's affinity with his VW).
He doesn't plan to give up either.
"It will be very difficult to stop Ogier, but I will try to fight. If I can keep the other guys behind, that will be nice."
That's not bad at all, especially considering Bouffier has had very little time in the Fiesta (particularly in comparison to Ogier's affinity with his VW).
He doesn't plan to give up either.
"It will be very difficult to stop Ogier, but I will try to fight. If I can keep the other guys behind, that will be nice."
Meeke also drops behind Ogier, but adds four seconds to his cushion over Kubica in the battle for what is now third.
"Four seconds over 50kms is not a lot to be honest. It's very slippery. It only takes one metre of shiny Tarmac and it will put you off the road."
"Four seconds over 50kms is not a lot to be honest. It's very slippery. It only takes one metre of shiny Tarmac and it will put you off the road."
Kubica completes 24s down on Ogier, so he's lost third place to the champion.
Stopwatch
Bouffier is keeping up the pace better than Meeke and Kubica, though. The 2011 winner is 10s down on Ogier on the splits at present.
Stopwatch
Ogier blasts through with a time half a minute quicker than his team-mates and fastest of all by miles.
That will almost certainly bring him up to second. How far behind Bouffier will he be?
That will almost certainly bring him up to second. How far behind Bouffier will he be?
Latvala is second quickest behind Mikkelsen so far and increases his gap over Hirvonen, but describes the stage as "absolutely horrible". He reckons with more and more rain falling, it will get worse and worse for the later cars.
Hirvonen was pleased to be faster than Latvala at some parts of the stage, but reckoned the VW man had more confidence in the fast sections.
Hirvonen was pleased to be faster than Latvala at some parts of the stage, but reckoned the VW man had more confidence in the fast sections.
Stopwatch
At the fifth split, Ogier is on target to jump from fourth to second on this stage, vaulting both Kubica and Meeke.
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Cars are starting off with two minute gaps between them today, and Mikkelsen didn't enjoy having to catch and pass Melicharek in the rain.
"Tricky conditions - so much shiny Tarmac," said Mikkelsen. "We caught the car in front and were a little bit behind him for a while.
"It was so hard to see. I really hope we get three minutes gap for the rest of the day because it's so hard when you can't see anything."
Melicharek's extreme lack of pace was down to running winter tyres, a bit too conservative on a stage that was mostly just wet.
"Tricky conditions - so much shiny Tarmac," said Mikkelsen. "We caught the car in front and were a little bit behind him for a while.
"It was so hard to see. I really hope we get three minutes gap for the rest of the day because it's so hard when you can't see anything."
Melicharek's extreme lack of pace was down to running winter tyres, a bit too conservative on a stage that was mostly just wet.
Rain
The rain has returned. And the sky doesn't look like running dry any time soon. This could have serious implications for AUTOSPORT's plans to go and watch at the bridge close to the end of Sisteron.
Actually, it won't. We'll be there.
Actually, it won't. We'll be there.
Stopwatch
As expected, Ogier is on a huge charge this morning.
On the early-stage splits, he's taken 6s out of Kubica, his first target of the day, 4.5s out of Meeke and 3s out of Bouffier.
On the early-stage splits, he's taken 6s out of Kubica, his first target of the day, 4.5s out of Meeke and 3s out of Bouffier.
Mikkelsen's Volkswagen has overtaken Slovakian rookie Melicharek's Ford on the stage.
Breaking news
If you're just joining us and need to catch up on Thursday's event, here's the full story:
Monte Carlo Rally day one report
Monte Carlo Rally day one report
By: Matt Beer, David Evans, Scott Mitchell
Published:
Lap:
