The World Rally Championship got underway in thrilling fashion on the weekend, with Frenchman Sebastien Ogier claiming his ninth win at Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Racing part time with Toyota Gazoo Racing, Ogier slightly out-gained his team-mate Kalle Rovanperä (GR Yaris) by 18.8 seconds. For Ogier’s co-driver Vincent Landais, it was his maiden win. Ogier’s record-setting ninth win on the weekend is the culmination of three decades of race wins with five different manufacturers.
“I love this rally. It’s the one which gave me the dream right at the beginning, and I am so happy for Vincent. For me, it’s nice, but for him, it’s a dream to take his first win,” Ogier said.
“We still need to enjoy these moments, and that’s why we are still here [in the WRC], to catch some victories like this. To win a famous one like Monte has no price.”
Race standings:
1. S Ogier / V Landais FRA Toyota GR Yaris 3hr 12min 2.0sec
2. K Rovanperä / J Halttunen FIN Toyota GR Yaris +18.8sec
3. T Neuville / M Wydaeghe BEL Hyundai i20 N +44.6sec
4. E Evans / S Martin GBR Toyota GR Yaris +1min 12.4sec
5. O Tänak / M Järveoja EST Ford Puma +2min 34.9sec
6. T Katsuta / A Johnston JPN Toyota GR Yaris +3min 32.6sec
GRC standings after round 1:
1. S Ogier 26pts
2. K Rovanperä 23pts
3. T Neuville 17 pts