The third and penultimate day of the 90th Monte Carlo Rally it began under the sign of absolute balance, especially as regards the never-ending struggle between Sebastien Ogier and Sebastien Loeb. A total parity that was seen especially at the end of the PS10, that is the second scheduled in the program for the morning of January 9th. Even before the checkered flag on the latter, however, the duel between the two French drivers took a back seat thanks to the first affirmation of Elfyn Evans in this edition (100th stage won in career), with the British of Toyota author of the best time in the PS9. So far, Evans has therefore been the only one to win a heat outside Ogier and Loeb, with the exception of Greensmith’s victory – his first in WRC – in PS7.
But the real twist, which makes the challenge for the throne of the Principality very open, took place in the aforementioned PS10, between Saint-Jeannet and Malilaj: after the Oliver Solberg, slipped into a bush following a mistake by the Swedish driver in setting the corner – who nevertheless managed to get back on the course – Ogier set the best time, with Loeb coming fourth instead. However, the combinations of the times of the previous tests have generated a more unique than rare general classification: between the two transalpine riders, in fact, the posting was nil, with a 1: 41.42 recorded by both. Outside of this incredible figure, Hyundai’s problems still continue: in addition to a technical failure accused by Neuville, Tänak opted for a more conservative pace to avoid a puncture – which happened instead to Greensmith – as he lacked a spare wheel. .
#WRC : Drapeau Rouge suite à la sortie de Evans! #RallyeMonteCarlo pic.twitter.com/ERj4VEK3jt
– Gaël Angleviel 🧔 (@paddock_inside) January 22, 2022
Grand finale of the morning, in conclusion, for the PS11, held in difficult conditions of snow and ice on the asphalt despite the absence of bad weather. After the spins of Tänak and Neuville – which materialize a Hyundai disaster – also Evans was the protagonist of a dangerous off the road, with his Toyota stuck on an uphill slope. Unlike Solberg, the winner of the PS9 was unable to resume the race, even with the help of the spectators present, so much so as to force the exposure of the Red flag. Regardless of these episodes, Ogier – despite a huge risk of also ending up off the track in a very dangerous point – won the last race in the middle of the day, leaping to the top of the general classification always ahead of Loeb. Given the problems and accidents of the competitors, the fight for victory now seems destined to be resolved only between the two Frenchmen, who will battle again, starting at 14.10, for the twelfth and thirteenth rounds.
Monte Carlo Rally | Ranking after the SS11 – Top-8
Pos. |
Pilot |
Car |
Time / Gap |
1 |
S. OGIER |
Ford |
1: 55.59.1 |
2 |
S. LOEB |
Toyota |
+5.4 |
3 |
C. BREEN |
Toyota |
+1: 07.5 |
4 |
T. NEUVILLE |
Hyundai |
+1: 53.8 |
5 |
O. ROVAMPERÄ |
Hyundai |
+2: 09.4 |
6 |
K. KATSUTA |
Ford |
+2: 16.2 |
7 |
O. TÄNAK |
Ford |
+3: 05.7 |
8 |
O. SOLBERG |
Toyota |
+40: 14.7 |
#WRC #Rally #Monte #Carlo #PS11 #Ogier #breaks #absolute #balance #FormulaPassionit