Thursday’s rally day in Monte Carlo was just as challenging as it was used to.
The snow did not torment the jockeys, but gravel, mud and finally black ice made it difficult to drive in the dark.
Kalle Rovanperä missed the top 44 seconds in three special stages. The pursuit of the first Monte Carlo victory of her career became more difficult in the box.
Rovanperä did not understand his problems. On the other hand, there is nothing new about the problems: if a Finn has been in trouble in some circumstances, it is just a dirty asphalt.
And the darkness of Monte. In 2022, after Thursday, Rovanperä was the slowest of the whole group. At that time there were adjustments.
This time, Rovanperä was also slowed down, as the road got dirty as the drivers cut the bends.
The challenge of the circumstances was that the nine -time winner of the rally and Sebastien Ogier, who was by far the race, collapsed into a driving error and was ruining his race.
There are still many kilometers ahead. Montte has seen more dramatic differences after Thursday.
Sami Pajari’s opening day was expected: On a dry road, Pajari flashed good breaks, but in dirty places the young man took calmly and brought his car wisely to the finish.
Micke Suopuro, Sports