Rallye Monte-Carlo Evans Retains Lead

January 27, 2024Joe Moore
RallyWRC

The second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Elfyn Evans retained his lead after the days stages.

SS3, St-Léger-Les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve 1

Thierry Neuville kicked off the second day with a stage win. As the Belgian posted a time 5.3 seconds faster than rally leader Elfyn Evans to top the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Forumaux set the fourth fastest time, 15.9 seconds slower than Ogier. Andreas Mikkelsen rounded out the top five for the first time this weekend, as the Norwegian set a time 4.8 seconds slower than Fourmaux. 

SS4, Champcella – Saint-Clément 1

Sebastien Ogier topped the stage for the first time this weekend on SS4. As the 9-time Rallye Monte-Carlo winner set a time 1 second faster than Evans to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Fourmaux. 

SS5, La Bréole – Selonnet 1

Sebastien Ogier ended the morning loop with his second stage win of the weekend. Setting a time 11.2 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4.9 seconds slower than Tänak. 

SS6, St-Léger-Les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve 2

Thierry Neuville kicked off the afternoon loop of Rallye Monte-Carlo day two with a stage win. As Neuville posted a time 1.6 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win his second stage of the day. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1 second slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Tänak. 

SS7, Champcella – Saint-Clément 2

Thierry Neuville also took the stage win on SS7. Setting a time 3.5 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 8.2 seconds slower than Tänak. 

SS8, La Bréole – Selonnet 2

Sebastien Ogier ended the second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo with a stage win. Posting a time 2.9 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.7 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.4 seconds slower than Tänak. 

Overall After Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two

Elfyn Evans retained his lead after the days six stages. Despite not taking a single-stage win on the day. Evans takes a 4.5-second lead over Sebastien Ogier heading into the third day of the event. Thierry Neuville sits just 11.6 seconds behind Ogier, and 16.1 seconds behind Evans after the day. Ott Tänak is far behind in fourth. As the Estonian sits 57.5 seconds behind Neuville at the end of the day. Adrien Fourmaux rounds out the top five to end the second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo. With the Frenchman sitting 24.4 seconds behind Tänak. 

What To Expect From Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Three 

The penultimate day of Rallye Monte-Carlo is set to be a good one. As Evans, Ogier and Neuville will battle for the event lead, and maximum points to end Saturday. Tänak will look to fend off Fourmaux, who has been on a heater. Tänak will have to rely on Sunday’s new points system to regain points lost. Day three will see drivers contest 120.40 km across 6 stages. Leaving lots of room for time to be gained and lost for the drivers.