Seb Ogier leads Monte Carlo shakedown

8 times world champion Sebastien OgierStarting his second consecutive partial program with Toyota Gazoo Racing, he was 0.3 seconds faster than his Yaris Rally 1 teammate Kalle Rovanpera. The rally that opens the 2023 WRC World Championship.

Hyundai Motorsport’s Thierry Neuville finished on the podium one-tenth behind Rovanpera, just 1.1 seconds behind the top six drivers.

“As always, it’s hard to know what to expect here. Yes, it’s still a tricky situation,” said Ogier.

Neuville was fastest on the first pass of the i20 N Rally1, but Rovanpera topped the timesheets on the next pass. Ogier took the lead late in the session and set the fastest time on his third and final run.

Shakedown classification

2.29 km between Sainte-Agnes and Peille

1.S.Ogier (Hula/Toyota) 1:44.6
2. K. Rovanpera (Finn/Toyota) +0.3
3. T. Neuville (Bell/Hyundai) +0.4
4 E. Evans (GB/Toyota) +0.5
5. D.Def (ESP/Hyundai) +0.9
6. P. Lube (Fra/Ford Puma M-Sport) +1.1
7. O. Tänak (Est/Ford Puma M-Sport) +1.5
8. E. Lappi (Finn/Hyundai) +2.4
9. T. Katsuta (Japanese/Toyota) +2.8
10. J. Serderidis (private Gre/Ford-Puma) +12.5

The top four already contained three Toyota cars, including Elfyn Evans. He finished 0″ 1 with teammate Dani Sordo in his 5th, plus he was 10 minutes behind his 4 away Neuville. Cougar.

Another driver debuting with a new car this week is Esapekka Lappi, who switched from Toyota to Hyundai over the winter. The Finn achieved his eighth-fastest time, while Takamoto Katsuta and Jordan Serderidis completed the classification.

The first day of the Monte-Carlo Rally starts at 8:05 pm La Bollene Vesby / Col de Turini 1 (15.12 km) and at 9:03 pm La Cabanet / Castillon Col (24.90 km).

Monte Carlo Rally Schedule

Thursday, January 19th
8.05pm SS1: La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini 1 (15.12 km)
21:03 SS2: La Cabanette / Col de Castillon (24.90 km)
Friday, January 20th
09:09 SS3: Roure / Roubion / Beuil (18.33 km)
10:22am SS4: Puget-Théniers / Saint-Antonin (19.79 km)
11.25am SS5: Briansonnet / Entrevaux (14.55km)
14:23 SS6: Roure/Roubion/Beuil (18.33km)
15:36 SS7: Puget-Théniers / Saint-Antonin (19.79km)
16:19 SS8: Briansonnet / Entrevaux (14.55km)
Saturday, January 21st
08:24 SS9: Le Fugeret / Thorame-Haute (16.80 km)
10:05 am SS10: Malijai / Puimichel (17.31 km)
12:17pm SS11: Ubraye / Entrevaux (21.78km)
14:31 SS12: Le Fugeret / Thorame-Haute (16.80km)
16:05 SS13: Malijai / Puimichel (17.31km)
18:23h SS14: Ubraye / Entrevaux (21.78 km)
Sunday, January 22nd
7:57am SS15: Luceram / Lantosque (18.82km)
09:05 SS16: La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini (15.12 km)
10:40am SS17: Luceram / Lantosque (18.82km)
12:18 pm SS18 (Power Stage): La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini (15.12 km)