The 1999 Rallye Monte-Carlo is one of the more notable additions in recent history. Let’s travel back in time to the event.
The Event
The 1999 running of Rallye Monte-Carlo saw drivers contest 424.69 km of snowy tarmac roads across 14 stages in the French Alps. The shortest stage was the fifth stage of the event, St Clement – St Saveur. Spanning just 20.35 km in length. The longest test was the first stage of the event, Plan De Vitrolles – Faye. Which spanned a total of 48.28 km.
Day One, A Shocking Start
Privateer Gillies Panizzi topped the timesheet after the first day’s five stages. Despite only winning a single stage. Panizzi sat first overall, with a 5.9-second gap over Tommi Makinen. Juha Kankkunen was third to end the day, a minute and 13.7 seconds behind Makinen. Colin McRae won two stages on the day. Despite this, he sat sixth overall after the day, 1 minute and 59.9 seconds behind Panizzi. The first day also caught out a couple of favourites to win the event. As both Carlos Sainz, Freddy Loix and Armin Schwarz retired on just the first stage. Sainz and Loix both crashed out, while Schwarz had a clutch issue.
Day Two, Makinen Takes Lead
Reigning World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen topped the event after the second day. Winning two of the day’s five stages to take a minute and 14.4-second lead over standout Giles Panizzi. Juha Kankkunen ended the day in third, 20.2 seconds behind Panizzi. There were no notable moments on the day. Panizzi continued to be a standout on the day behind the wheel of his Subaru 22B. Colin McRae pushed up to fourth, while François Delecour ended the day in fifth.
Day Three, Makinen Wins
The third and final day of the 1999 Rallye Monte Carlo saw Tommi Makinen hold on to his lead to win the event for the first time in his career. Makinen ended the event with a minute and 44.7-second lead over Juha Kankkunen. Didier Auriol finished the event third overall behind the wheel of his Toyota. Auriol finished a whopping two minutes and 8.1 seconds behind Kankkunen. Unfortunately, the final day did see a couple of notable drivers retire. On the first stage of the day, Giles Panizzi retired due to an accident. While Colin McRae was excluded from the event due to a water pump.
First Of Four Consecutive Wins
Tommi Makinen took his first Rallye Monte-Carlo win in 1999. However, the Finnish star would go on to win the next three editions of the event. Makinen to this day is tied for the third most wins at the event. Being tied with Walter Röhrl, Sandro Munari and Jean Trévoux. Makinen would be the only non-French winner of the event until fellow Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen won the event in 2010. Makinen seemed to like to do things in four. As 1999 would be the last year Makinen won the World Rally Championship. Having won it the three seasons prior.
The fourth and final day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Yohan Rossel took the lead to win the event.
SS15, La Bréole – Selonnet 3
Yohan Rossel and Pepe López kicked off the final day by tying for a stage win. As both López and Rossel set a time 3.9 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to top the stage. Nicolas Ciamin set the third fastest time, 18 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre posted the fourth fastest time on the opening stage. Posting a time 1.5 seconds slower than Ciamin. Jan Solans rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 17.8 seconds slower than Lefebvre.
SS16, Digne-les-Bains – Chaudon-Norante
Yohan Rossel topped the penultimate stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Posting a time 5.8 seconds faster than Pepe López to take his second consecutive stage win. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than López. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 22.8 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.3 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS17, La Bollène-Vésubie – Col De Turini
Yohan Rossel also took home the stage win on the final stage of the event. Setting a time 4.8 seconds faster than Pepe López to clinch the rally win. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than López. Nicolas Ciamin posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.1 seconds slower than Ciamin.
Final Rallye Monte-Carlo Overall
Yohan Rossel ended the event with a 4-second lead over standout Pepe López. Nikolay Gryazin finished third overall, 11.4 seconds behind López and 15.4 seconds behind teammate Yohan Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin ended the event three minutes and 58.9 seconds behind Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the WRC2 top five, finishing the event a minute and 44.2 seconds behind Ciamin.
The fourth and final day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Thierry Neuville held on to take the win.
SS15, La Bréole – Selonnet 3
Thierry Neuville kicked off the final day the same way he kicked off the last two, with a stage win. As the Belgian set a time 4.7 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 9.5 seconds slower than Evans.
SS16, Digne-les-Bains – Chaudon-Norante
Thierry Neuville also took the stage win on the penultimate stage of Rally Monte-Carlo. Posting a time 0.2 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to top the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 2.5 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 9 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS17, La Bollène-Vésubie – Col De Turini
Thierry Neuville topped the final stage of the event to go three for three on the final day. Neuville set a time 2.5 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, posting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.8 seconds slower than Evans.
Final Rallye Monte-Carlo Overall
Thierry Neuville ended the event with a 16.1-second lead over Sebastien Ogier. Elfyn Evans finished third overall, 29.1 seconds behind Ogier and 45.2 seconds behind Neuville. Ott Tänak ended the event fourth overall, a minute and 14.6 seconds behind Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five at this home event, finishing one minute and 37.1 seconds behind Tänak.
The third day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Nikolay Grayzin retained his lead on the day.
SS9, Esparron – Oze 1
Pepe López kicked off the penultimate day of Rallye Monte-Carlo with a stage win. As the Spaniard posted a time 0.2 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to top the stage. Yohan Rossel finished third fastest on the stage, 6.5 seconds slower than Gryazin. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Rossel. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, 15.4 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS10, Les Nonières – Chichilianne 1
Nikolay Grayzin took home his first stage win of the day on the second stage of the day. Posting a time 2.9 seconds faster than Pepe López. Yohan Rossel finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than López. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 12.2 seconds slower than Rossel. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, 9.9 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS11, Pellafol – Agnières-en-Dévoluy 1
Yohan Rossel topped the final stage of the morning loop. Setting a time 1.8 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to top his first of the weekend. Pepe López finished third fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Grayzin. Niclas Ciamin posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 8.1 seconds slower than López. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage once again, finishing 4.8 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS12, Esparron – Oze 2
Pepe López kicked off the afternoon loop with a stage win. Setting a time 6.4 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to top the stage. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin posted the fourth fastest time on the stage 0.9 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS13, Les Nonières – Chichilianne 2
Yohan Rossel topped the penultimate stage of the third day of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Posting a time 2.8 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin. Pepe López finished third fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Gryazin. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 16.1 seconds slower than López. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.4 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS14, Pellafol – Agnières-en-Dévoluy 2
Yohan Rossel took home his second consecutive stage win to cap off the day. With the Frenchman posting a time 0.5 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to top the stage. Pepe López finished third fastest on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 15.7 seconds slower than López. Nicolas Ciamin rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.9 seconds slower than Lefebvre.
The third day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Thierry Neuville took the rally lead on the day.
SS9, Esparron – Oze 1
Thierry Neuville kicked off the penultimate day of Rallye Monte-Carlo with a stage win. As the 2020 event winner posted a time 9.6 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to top the stage. Grégoire Munster finished third fastest on the stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Evans for the first top three time of his career. Takamoto Katsuta set a time 3.9 seconds slower than Munster on the stage. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.7 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS10, Les Nonières – Chichilianne 1
Sebastien Ogier topped the second stage of the day. As the 9-time event winner set a time 2.1 seconds faster than now rally leader Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Katsuta. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS11, Pellafol – Agnières-en-Dévoluy 1
Hyundai drivers Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak tied for the fastest time on the final stage of the morning loop. As both drivers posted a time 1.2 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier finished with the third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Ogier. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five times on the final stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo day three’s morning loop. Finishing with a time 5.6 seconds slower than Evans.
SS12, Esparron – Oze 2
Sebastien Ogier opened the afternoon loop with a stage win. Setting a time 5.5 seconds faster than leader Thierry Neuville to close the gap between himself and Neuville to just 2.2 seconds. Ott Tänak and Takamoto Katsuta tied for the third fastest time on the stage, with both drivers finishing 8.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Andreas Mikkelsen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Tänak and Katsuta. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 1.7 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
SS13, Les Nonières – Chichilianne 2
Sebastien Ogier also took the stage win on the penultimate stage of the penultimate day of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Posting a time 3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage and take the rally lead. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest for the first time today, finishing 4.6 seconds faster than Neuville on the stage. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4.2 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS14, Pellafol – Agnières-en-Dévoluy 2
Thierry Neuville topped the final stage of the day. Posting a time 4.1 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take back the rally lead. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 6 seconds slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Andreas Mikkelsen rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Overall After Day Three Of Rallye Monte-Carlo
Thierry Neuville leads the rally and took home maximum points on Saturday under the new points system. Sebastien Ogier sits second overall, 3.3 seconds behind Neuville. Elfyn Evans lost a lot of time on the penultimate due to a hybrid issue. Now Evans sits 31.6 seconds behind Ogier and 34.9 seconds behind Neuville in third. Ott Tänak still sits far back from the front runners. As the Estonian is a minute and 12 seconds behind Evans and a minute and 46.9 seconds behind Neuville. Adrien Fourmaux sits another minute and 7.1 seconds behind Tänak and two minutes and 54 seconds behind Neuville.
The second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Nikolay Grayzin took the WRC2 class lead after the day.
SS3, St-Léger-Les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve 1
Nikolay Gryazin kicked off the second day with a stage win. As the Bulgarian posted a time 0.7 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to top the stage. Stephen Lefebvre finished third fastest on the stage, 12 seconds slower than Rossel. Pepe López set the fourth fastest time, 3.4 seconds slower than Lefebvre. Nicolas Ciamin rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than López.
SS4, Champcella – Saint-Clément 1
Pepe López took his first stage win of the second day on SS4. With the Spaniard posting a time 0.5 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to top the fourth stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 13.9 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS5, La Bréole – Selonnet 1
Pepe López ended the morning loop with a stage win. Setting a time 0.2 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to top the stage. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 1 second slower than Rossel. Chris Ingram posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 17.9 seconds slower than Gryazin. Nicolas Ciamin rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Ingram.
SS6, St-Léger-Les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve 2
Nikolay Gryazin kicked off the afternoon loop of Rallye Monte-Carlo day two with a stage win. As Gryazin posted a time 0.6 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to win his second stage of the day. Pepe López finished third fastest on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Rossel. Stephane Lefebvre set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than López. Nicolas Ciamin rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Lefebvre
SS7, Champcella – Saint-Clément 2
Pepe López took home his third stage win of the second day on SS7. Posting a time 2.1 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel on the stage. Nikolay Grayzin finished third fastest on the stage, 3.5 seconds slower than Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Gryazin. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the seventh stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo stage, 11 seconds slower than Ciaminz
SS8, La Bréole – Selonnet 2
Nikolay Gryazin ended the second day with a stage win. As the Citroen driver set a time 4.3 seconds faster than Yohan Rosssl on the stage. Pepe López finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 14.9 seconds slower than López. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, 9.2 seconds slower than Ciamin.
Overall After Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two
Nikolay Gryazin heads into the third day of the event in the WRC2 class lead. However, it is worth noting that Gryazin did receive a minute and 50-second penalty for being late to a time control. However, that time hasn’t been added to Gryazin’s time at the end of SS8. If the penalty is removed Gryazin will take a 1.3 second lead over Pepe López into the penultimate day. Yohan Rossel sits third, 4.9 seconds behind López. Nicolas Ciamin sits far back in fourth. As the Frenchman sits 1 minute and 48.3 seconds behind Rossel. Stephane Lefebvre rounds out the top five, sitting another minute and 9.3 seconds behind Ciamin.
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.
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.
The first day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Pepe López leads the WRC2 class after the days stages.
SS1, Thoard – Saint-Geniez
Pepe López kicked off his 2024 season with a stage win. As the Spaniard posted a time 9.2 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to top the stage. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Rossel. Chris Ingram set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Ingram.
SS2, Bayons – Bréziers
Pepe López was once again the fastest driver on the second stage. As López would set a time 0.6 seconds faster than Nikolay Grayzin to go two-for-two on the first day of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Yohan Rossel finished third fastest on the stage, 10.1 seconds slower than his teammate Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.1 seconds slower than Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin rounded out the top five on the final stage of the day, finishing with a time 3.4 seconds slower than Lefebvre.
WRC2 Overall Heading Into Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two
Pepe López takes a 14.2-second lead over Nikolay Gryazin into the second day of the event. Last year’s winner Yohan Rossel sits third overall, 5.7 seconds behind Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre is fourth overall heading into day two, 20.5 seconds slower than Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin rounds out the top five in class after the day. Ciamin sits 4.5 seconds behind Lefebvre heading into day two.
What To Expect From Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two
In about 11 hours the second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo will kick off. Drivers will contest 105.72 km across six stages. Drivers will face varying conditions throughout the day, including another night stage to cap off the day. Day two could end with a driver clear in the lead, or a driver leading by a handful of seconds. Anything can happen throughout the days stages.
The first day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Elfyn Evans leads the event after the first day.
SS1, Thoard – Saint-Geniez
Elfyn Evans kicked off the first stage of the 2024 season with a stage win. As the 2023 WRC Vice-Champion posted a time 5.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to top the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Tänak. Reigning Rallye Monte-Carlo winner Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Neuville. Adrien Fourmuax rounded out the top five, finishing 6.4 seconds slower than Ogier on the stage.
SS2, Bayons – Bréziers
Elfyn Evans also took the stage win on the second and final stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo day one. With the Welshmen setting a time 6.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Tänak.
Overall After Rallye Monte-Carlo Day One
Elfyn Evans takes a 15.1-second lead over Thierry Neuville into the second day of competition. Sebastien Ogier sits third overall, 6.5 seconds back from Neuville. Ott Tänak ends the day in fourth, 1.2 seconds behind Ogier. Adrien Fourmuax rounds out the top five after the first day, 16.2 seconds behind Tänak.
What To Expect From Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two
In about 11 hours the second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo will kick off. Drivers will contest 105.72 km across six stages. Drivers will face varying conditions throughout the day, including another night stage to cap off the day. Day two could end with a driver clear in the lead, or a driver leading by a handful of seconds. Anything can happen throughout the days stages.
The Rallye Monte-Carlo shakedown stage has come to an end. Ott Tänak and Nikolay Gryazin topped the stage in their respective classes.
Rally1
Ott Tänak set the fastest time on the first shakedown of the season. Tänak would set a time 0.1 seconds faster than championship rival Elfyn Evans to top the Rallye Monte-Carlo shakedown. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest, 0.7 seconds slower than Evans. 2023 Rallye Monte-Carlo winner Sebastien Ogier posted the fourth fastest time, 0.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the shakedown stage, finishing 2.2 seconds slower than Ogier.
WRC2
Nikolay Gryazin topped the Rallye Monte-Carlo shakedown for the WRC2 class. Gryazin would post a time 0.5 seconds faster than last year’s winner Yohan Rossel. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest on the shakedown stage, 1 second slower than Rossel. Pepe Lopez set the fourth fastest time, 2.4 seconds slower than Solberg. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five in the WRC2 class on the shakedown stage, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Lopez.
What To Expect From Rallye Monte-Carlo Day One
In about 12 hours the first real day of the 2024 World Rally Championship season will kick off. Day one of Rallye Monte-Carlo will see drivers contest two-night stages. These stages total 46.20 km in length. Elfyn Evans will be first on the road tomorrow. As he finished second in the championship last season. Since Kalle Rovanperä won’t be competing this weekend, Evans moves up in the start order. As the reigning champion is supposed to start. At the end of day one’s stages we should get a slight idea of how the event will go. As there’s a lot of time to be gained and lost in 46 km. However, anything can happen as there are still lots of kilometers to race after day one.