WRC Monte Carlo Rally: Sebastien Ogier leads shakedown
Sebastien Ogier started this year's World Rally Championship in the same way he ended 2013 by going quickest at the Monte Carlo Rally shakedown
The reigning world champion led the way in the French Alps stage, taking 1.2 seconds off his nearest rivals, Citroen pair Kris Meeke and Mads Ostberg.
The drivers enjoyed clear conditions on the 2.18-mile Chateauvieux stage near Gap, but grip levels deteriorated quickly as crews returned for their third and fourth run at the test, with mud being pulled into the road as corners were cut.
"Everything has gone well this morning, but we shouldn't look at this too much," Ogier cautioned.
"Some of the others were a little slower this morning and I think we will see more from them in the rally.
"It's a good start, but the weather has been perfect and we are sure that this will change."
Citroen's Yves Matton was pleased with his team's start and pointed out that the team's DS3 WRCs could have gone quicker.
"Both Kris and Mads were on the soft - not the super-soft tyre," said Matton, "and I'm sure the times could have been quicker if we had gone on the same tyres as our rivals.
"We have to remember this is shakedown, not qualifying.
"I am happy with what we have seen so far, it's very good. But the rally starts tomorrow."
Ogier's team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala was fourth fastest, 2.9 down on the lead Polo R WRC and one tenth up on Robert Kubica's M-Sport Ford Fiesta.
Thierry Neuville was fastest of the all-new Hyundai i20 WRCs, a further tenth down on Kubica.
The second i20 - driven by Dani Sordo - was two seconds down in eighth place.
M-Sport World Rally Team newboy Elfyn Evans was just outside the top times in 11th after a trouble-free start to his time aboard a works Fiesta RS WRC.
Leading WRC shakedown times: Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap 1. Sebastien Ogier VW 2m15.3s 2. Kris Meeke Citroen +1.2s 3. Mads Ostberg Citroen +1.2s 4. Jari-Matti Latvala VW +2.9s 5. Robert Kubica M-Sport Ford +3.0s 6. Thierry Neuville Hyundai +3.1s 7. Mikko Hirvonen M-Sport Ford +3.5s 8. Dani Sordo Hyundai +5.1s 9. Andreas Mikkelsen VW +5.1s 10. Bryan Bouffier M-Sport Ford +6.6s
Previous article
WRC team M-Sport already stunned by Kubica's dedication
Next article
What makes Monte Carlo so special?
About this article
| Series | WRC |
| Drivers | Sébastien Ogier |
| Author | David Evans |
Why the success of AVB's WRC debut won't be defined on the stages
Three years after a Dakar Rally crash resulted in him being airlifted to hospital, Andre Villas-Boas is preparing to make his debut on his home round of the World Rally Championship later this month. His goals for the event are modest, but the same cannot be said for the charities he plans to promote where his true impact could be felt
Why there's no easy fix for Hyundai's operational Achilles Heel
Hyundai Motorsport boss Andrea Adamo was vocal in his criticism of his team's tyre choices on Rally Croatia and declared that he "had better move my ass and solve it". Doing so will be vital to getting Hyundai's 2021 WRC title hopes back on track, but finding the root of the problem won't be the work of a moment
How Ogier held on after a shock bump in the road to triumph in Croatia
Sebastien Ogier was already in an incredibly tight fight at Rally Croatia before a surprise collision with public road traffic at the start of the final day. But the defending champion held his nerve to take a narrow victory and create further World Rally Championship history
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
