He is the king of the night. Sebastien Ogier has been crowned in the dark of the first stage of the Montecarlo Rally, and has taken command of the test after passing through the mythical Col de Turini. Of course, his namesake and eternal rival, Sebastien Loeb has also hit the accelerator hard, and ended up glued to his heels. Promise the weekend in which it opens a new era in the World Cup.
Everything was unknown before those first two night sections with the new hybrid cars. Already in the morning the ‘shakedown’ showed that the ‘sebastians’ were willing to increase their legend, something that was corroborated in the night. They have been the strongest and already lead the standings, although there are still three longer days ahead.
Ogier scored a great time in the first stage, Luceram, who seemed unable to beat anyone. But Loeb took it upon himself to prove otherwise, and he kept the pulse of his namesake, despite the fact that when he left much later he found some of the humidity already turned into ice. In Turini history repeated itself, although in its mythical curves Elfyn Evans also approached Ogier. The duel is served and the forecasts are being fulfilled. They change cars, they don’t race full time anymore, but the ‘sebastians’ continue without giving option.
those who have not had a good start have been the Hyundai, that came out with six wheels, while the rest had five. Thierry Neuville had brake and tire problems in the opening stage which allowed the Fords of Adrien Fourmaux and Gus Greensmith to finish ahead. In the case of Ott Tanak it was the engine that failed and it hung from the head, while Oliver Solberg’s intercoms did not work and he suffered a spin.
Classification
one. Ogier-Veillas (Fra/Toyota), 25m 48.4s
two. Loeb-Galmiche (Fra/Ford), at 6.7
3. Evans-Martin (GBR/Toyota), at 11.2
Four. Fourmaux-Coria (Fra/Ford), at 17.9
5. Greensmith-Andersson (Gbr/Ford), at 21.9