Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris) is in the lead after the opening day of the Monte-Carlo. The Welshman won the two planned tests on Thursday evening and has a lead of 15.1 over Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20). The Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Yaris) is already facing a deficit of 21.6 in third.
After the ceremonial start in Monaco, drivers and teams headed to Gap on Thursday afternoon, the rally center for the coming days. Quite an undertaking considering the farmers’ protest and the many closed roads. But the organization had mapped out a route that got everyone to Gap in time for two rides in the dark.
In the first special stage of the year, Evans was 5.2 faster than Ott Tänak. Neuville rode the third fastest time and had to concede 8.3 to Evans. “I tried not to overheat the tires. Maybe I could do a little more, but it’s still a long race,” said Neuville at the finish. Ogier, a nine-time winner in Monte-Carlo, set the fourth fastest time, at 9.8. The four expected names performed significantly better than the other Rally1 drivers. Grégoire Munster rode the seventh fastest time and was 30.4 slower than Evans. “The roads are bone dry and we did not test in those conditions,” was his explanation.
Evans was also the best in the second stage. Neuville rode the second fastest time, but was not completely satisfied. “We had a problem. We’ll see,” said the Belgian. His teammate Tänak had a problem with the accelerator pedal and dropped to fourth place. Munster started his first Monte-Carlo flawlessly with a Rally1. After the first day of competition, the Belgian, who drives with a Luxembourg license, is seventh.
The first full day of competition will be held on Friday. The riders are then presented with two loops of three special stages each.