An exciting challenge that Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans are giving to the fans of the World Rally in this last, decisive, round of 2021. Having gone to rest last night separated by only one second and four tenths, also this morning the two teammates, as well as the only contenders for the world crown, marked themselves man, answering second on second to their respective chrono.
Evans quickly lost leadership over the course of the PS8 of San Fermo, the unprecedented piesse 9.2 miles which saw Thierry Neuville author of the best time. Ogier paid 1 ″ 7 to the Belgian, but earned 2 ″ 9 to Toyota # 33, and returned to the lead.
A step forward during the turn of a special, the PS9 of Selvino, the longest of the Rally Monza with its 24.93 km. Evans won with 3 ″ 7 over Sordo and 3 ″ 8 over Ogier, bringing the overall advantage over the French to 2 ″ 3. Illustrious victim of the second test of the day was Thierry Neuville, which he left on the ground almost half a minute after losing – and damaging – his Hyundai in a right-hander in the first few kilometers of the special.
Back in the role of pursuer, Ogier pulled out his claws: the seven-time world champion won the next two special stages – repetition of San Fermo and Selvino – leaving Evans at 7 ″ 5, for a general classification that now sees him leader with 5 ″ 2 on the Welsh.
An advantage slightly less than that which yesterday had dissipated in the three specials held at the Autodrome, where the crews will return this afternoon for two laps on the 14.39-kilometer “Sottozero” special.
While the fight for victory remains hot, Neuville’s misstep has thrown open the doors of the podium to Dani Sordo, now third at 33 ″ from Ogier. Neuville is fourth at 18 ″ behind his teammate, ahead of Solberg, Katsuta, Suninen, Greensmith, Rovanpera and Rossel.
Rally Monza | Ranking after the SS11
Pos. | Pilot | Car | Time / Gap |
1 | S. OGIER | Toyota | 1: 54: 58.5 |
2 | E. EVANS | Toyota | +5.2 |
3 | D. DEAF | Hyundai | +33.4 |
4 | T. NEUVILLE | Hyundai | +51.9 |
5 | O. SOLBERG | Hyundai | +1: 17.7 |
6 | T. KATSUTA | Toyota | +1: 35.0 |
7 | T. SUNINEN | Hyundai | +2: 02.4 |
8 | G. GREENSMITH | Ford | +2: 12.9 |
9 | K. ROVANPERÄ | Toyota | +3: 15.8 |
10 | Y. ROSSEL | Citroen (Wrc3) | +7: 16.5 |
#WRC #Monza #PS11 #Ogier #lead #FormulaPassionit