Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville dominated the opening race of the World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo.
Belgian Thierry Neuville convincingly opened his season in the World Rally Championship. Hyundai driver Neuville dominated the World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo and grabbed a full 30-point pot from the World Championship opening.
Toyota’s French star Sebastien Ogier placed second. Ogier, who was driving in his home rally, had to give in to Neuville’s ferocious speed. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans drove third and the Hyundai driver Ott Tänak fourth place.
The renewed points calculation method of the Rally World Series was used for the first time in Monte Carlo. Neuville was already at the top of the rally after Saturday’s leg and already claimed 18 MM points. He was also the fastest driver on Sunday and thus grabbed seven points. Neuville culminated his rally with a Power Stage win and five extra points.
– I have no words. My weekend was absolutely brilliant. I’m really happy with this win. The car was excellent, many thanks to everyone for that, Neuville expressed.
Neuville won the Monte Carlo World Rally Championship last time in 2020. Ogier claimed 24 World Championship points, Elfyn Evans 21 and Ott Tänak 15 World Championship points.
Ogier had faced great grief before the race when his uncle passed away. Ogier, who was already in tears on Friday, said on Sunday that his uncle had inspired him to motor sports and made it possible for him to start his rally career.
Sami Pajari to fifth place in Rally2
The only Finn in the opening World Cup rally Sami Pajari struggled in the Rally2 class. Pajari, who raced the Toyota, was the fifth fastest driver in Rally2. Yohan Rossel took the class win.
– We learned a lot about the new car and the stages of this race. First time with a Rally2 car in Monte and fifth place, so a really cool performance. I believe that we got a lot of good data and ideas for further development from the weekend, Pajari evaluates his presentation.
Kalle Rovanperä and Esapekka Lappi will start their season in the next competition in February in Sweden. Toyota’s two-time world champion Rovanperä plans to drive half of this year’s World Cup rallies. Lappi, who drives a Hyundai, only participates in a part of the season’s races.
The Swedish World Rally Championship will be held from the 15th to the 18th. February.
1. Thierry Neuville, Hyundai 3.09.30,9
2. Sebastien Ogier, Toyota +16.1
3. Elfyn Evans, Toyota +45.2
4. Ott Tänak, Hyundai +1.59,8
5. Adrien Fourmaux, Ford +3.36,9
6. Andreas Mikkelsen, Hyundai +5.34,6
7. Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota +8.28.5
8. Yohan Rossel, Citroen/Rally2 +10.29,8
9. Pepe Lopez, Skoda/Rally2 +10.33,8
10. Nikolai Grjazin, Citroen/Rally2 +10.45,2
11. Nicolas Ciamin, Hyundai/Rally2 +14.44,1
12. Sami Pajari, Toyota/Rally2 +15.16,3
SUNDAY RESULTS
1. Thierry Neuville 31.21,4
2. Elfyn Evans +10.3
3. Sebastien Ogier +12.8
4. Ott Tänak +12.9
5. Adrien Fourmaux +42.9
6. Takamoto Katsuta +54.5
7. Gregoire Munster +1.09,4
THE FASTEST AT THE POWER STAGE
1. Thierry Neuville 9:50,4
2. Sebastien Ogier +2.6
3. Takamoto Katsuta +2.8
4. Elfyn Evans +3.2
5. Ott Tänak +5.1
WORLD SERIES SITUATION (1/13)
1. Thierry Neuville 30 (18+7+5)
2. Sebastien Ogier 24 (15+5+4)
3. Elfyn Evans 21 (13+6+2)
4. Ott Tänak 15 (10+4+1)
5. Adrien Fourmaux 11 (8+3+0)
6. Takamoto Katsuta 9 (4+2+3)
7. Andreas Mikkelsen 6 (6+0+0)