Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Gazoo Racing) is still in the lead of the 91st edition of Rally Monte-Carlo, after SS4 (Puget-Théniers – Saint-Antonin 1, 19.79km) in which he experienced his first worry of the week : “I have an issue with my hybrid system, so I’m pushing hard to compensate”. This issue did not prevent him from taking his 4th stage win out of four, 2.1 seconds ahead of Welsh teammate Elfyn Evans, and 4.9 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai Motorsport), more comfortable in this stage than the previous one because it was “more technical”, the Belgian said on the finish line.

There was a little surprise in this SS4, as Japanese Takamoto Katsuta, always improving in his Toyota Yaris, set the 4th time, six seconds behind Ogier, ahead of two World Champions: Ott Tänak (M- Sport Ford), 5th at 7.8 seconds behind the Frenchman, and Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota), 6th  at 10 seconds. As if the young reigning world champion started to realize that Ogier might be difficult to catch this weekend in the Southern Alps.