French Sebastien Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) is leading Monte-Carlo, the first round of the 2022 season of the World Rally Championship, at the end of the two stages contested this Thursday evening as part of the famous “Nuit du Turini”. He is ahead of his great historic rival, the “returning” Sebastien Loeb (Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1), excellent second at 6.7 seconds and fighting for first place!
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 N Rally1), not very confident, is in sixth position, 28.5 seconds behind the leader, after notably losing the brakes – and his tires – very early in SS1.
In ES1, Luceram – Lantosque (15.2 km) and in SS2, La Bollène-Vésubie -Moulinet (23.25 km), Sebastien Ogier ahead of his compatriot Sebastien Loeb, second at 6.7 seconds, and his teammate Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), third at 11.2 seconds.
Two other M-Sport drivers, the team that fields the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, complete the Top 5 of the general classification this Thursday evening: the Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux is fourth at 17.9 seconds, the Briton Gus Greensmith fifth at 21.9 seconds.
On Friday, two loops of three stages, without passing through the service park at noon, will feature in the crews’ programme, for a total of 97.86 kilometers to be covered against the clock.