Ogier survives eventful third day in Monte Carlo, Neuville climbs to seventh place

After the end of the third day in the Rally of Monte Carlo is Sébastien Ogier (Ford Fiesta WRC), still in the lead. The Frenchman has his lead on the first pursuer Ott Tänak (Toyota Yaris WRC) increased to 33 seconds. Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota Yaris WRC) is moved up to 3rd place.

In contrast to the past few days was Saturday, however, snow is on the menu in Monte Carlo. The first ride of the day, that of Agnières-en-Dévoluy, made for a lot of sliders and large time difference. Biggest victim was Dani Sordo (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC). He slid at low speed of the road and had to give up. The conditions were also terrible. “This is one of the most difficult klassementsritten of my career”, showed five-fold world champion Sébastien Ogier know at the finish line. And still did the Frenchman a good thing, because in one fell swoop, he had a lead of 1:18 on the first pursuer Ott Tänak (Toyota Yaris WRC).

Tänak stronger with 2 scratches and one time a 2nd time back into the game and reduced the gap to 33.5. That is still more than double the 14.9 disadvantage that the Est thu night. By the contents of Sordo pushed Latvala (Toyota Yaris WRC) through to the 3rd place in the track the 3rd Toyota from the team, that of Esapekka Lappi (Toyota Yaris WRC). The Fin drove this afternoon, leak, lost more than 3 minutes and all the chances on the stage.

Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) skated in the opening stage of the day very carefully to the finish line. The Oostkantonner had after Breen on the track and got more snow to process than its competitors. Saturday afternoon he chose resolutely for the attack. In the 11th trip he made to 2 times a slipper, without too much loss of time. In the 2 subsequent trips, he drove time and again the fastest time giving Neuville is now moved up to 7th place. Catching up on the 6th place from Elfyn Evans (Ford Fiesta WRC) amounted to all 33.4. “It is difficult to be in a position to win, but we have to get a good rhythm on after trying to keep up. We have to be fast and smart driving,” said Neuville.

Kevin Abbring and Peter Chun (Ford Fiesta R5) had to this morning, to specify when the job went and the radiator damaged. The duo drove the 10th time but had to give up with a broken motor. Guillaume de Mevius (Peugeot 208 T16) is still in the race. He is provisionally 13th in the general classification and 2nd in the WRC2. A solid performance from the Belgian, which makes its debut in the world CHAMPIONSHIP rally.

On Sunday there are still 4 klassementsritten driven, good for 64 km klassementsritten, including two times the Col de Turini, often a headsman in the past. The Monte Carlo Rally ends Sunday afternoon.