Halfway through Saturday’s race day, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) took the lead in the Monte Carlo. Neuville relieves Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris Rally1) who has dropped to second place, 5.1 seconds behind Neuville. Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Yaris Rally1) is third at 7.7 from Neuville. Grégoire Munster (Ford Puma Rally1) moves up to sixth place.
Neuville was immediately alert on Saturday morning. During the opening stage he was no less than 9.6 faster than Evans. Grégoire Munster surprised everyone with the third fastest time. Sébastien Ogier rode the fifth fastest time and was 18.8 slower than Neuville who moved up to second place overall.
In the second stage of the day, Ogier was 2.1 faster than Neuville, who in turn was 7.4 sec faster than Evans. The position change was a fact: Neuville jumped over Evans from second to first place. Neuville was also the fastest in the third stage. A fastest time he shared with Ott Tänak (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) who drove his first scratch since returning to Hyundai. And yet the Belgian was not completely satisfied. “This was a new ride and I didn’t take any risks. Sometimes I didn’t understand the note properly and then I had doubts. I did what I could,” Neuville said.
On Saturday afternoon, the participants will complete the same loop of three special stages. On Saturday evening, based on the new regulations, World Cup points will be awarded for the first time.