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7th victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia on Citroën C3 WRC
2nd at 2″2: Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul on Hyundai i20 WRC
3rd at 2’15″2: Ott Tanak and Martin Jarveoja on Toyota Yaris WRC
WRC2 victory: Gus Greensmith and Elliott Edmonson on Ford Fiesta
WRC victory: Yoann Bonato and Benjamin Boulloud on Citroën C3
100th victory in Rally for Citroën
After SS8, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia (Citroen C3 WRC) lead the Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Sébastien Ogier (leader)
It hasn’t been a bad day Seb…
It’s been a tricky day with difficult tyre choices. The conditions we have seen on the three stages have been completely different. It’s about keeping out of trouble and trying to stay in a safe rhythm. If you try to push it’s so easy to do a mistake. I’m very pleased to be first on my first day in the C3, but Thierry is very close. All the time we are more or less together, but we already made a difference to the others, that’s good
What do you know about tomorrow’s conditions?
Honestly not much. I have some information soon enough from our gravel crew and I hope I can make the right tyre choice. Today it was right in the morning then they cancel SS1 and out strategy is not good anymore, but it benefits the Hyundais. This afternoon was close, but maybe it would be slightly better for the studs.
Great support here as usual…
Like always the support is fantastic. It’s such a chance to have a home rally in the championship and I enjoy so much to race here every year. Tomorrow will be even better with the roads in my valley where I was born.
Thierry Neuville (2nd at 2″ – Hyundai i20 WRC)
Thierry, that’s quite a recovery to come from 14s down to just two seconds…
I had a big smile at the end of the last stage because I knew I had done a good stage. I did not expect to catch so much time, like Seb said he was a bit more careful. We had good information from the gravel crew. I made mistake two stages before and lost 20s – that could have been our advantage tonight. But we had a good rhythm and we’re enjoying it a lot. I’m a bit disappointed we could not have the advantage with a good tyre choice this afternoon.
Tell us about that mistake…
I was definitely too quick, it was actually the first corner on the stage and this was the first time I was on full studs with the car. It wouldn’t turn as I expected it to, so I took the safe option and went on the road next to the stage. It was 20s quickly lost.
What about tomorrow?
We all know this is a very demanding rally where you need a good rhythm for the whole weekend. We will keep that rhythm and make good tyre choices if the conditions are tricky tomorrow. I hope the fight continues and everybody van enjoy and make a good show.
Andreas Mikkelsen (3rd at 1’17″7 – Hyundai i20 WRC)
Andreas we’ve seen a great recovery from you today…
It has been a good recovery. Yesterday didn’t start so well, but the team was quite lucky this morning and this cancelled stage helped us for sure. It’s tricky out there today, but we had a nice rhythm – not too much. We stayed in the rhythm and I felt comfortable in the car for the first time. I was at one and it was really nice.
But Jari-Matti’s coming and chasing for third…
It’s been a big battle for third, we snatched it on the last stage from Jar and Seb is also close. But tomorrow we know the stages well, we were fast here last year.
What can we expect tomorrow?
We will see when the [gravel] crews go through tomorrow morning, but I’m sure it will be a difficult day tomorrow.
This is a good start to the year though?
This is more or less the first day and things can change… but we’ll push hard tomorrow and see what we can do.
Sébastien Ogier (leader – Citroën C3 WRC)
Tell me about your day Sébastien?
It’s been another tricky day, especially the first stage both times through. They were tricky and changeable conditions. We needed to stay with the studs – at least the tyres has been a bit more straightforward today. But still I am happy to be here sitting in the middle, even if we didn’t increase the gap much. Tomorrow will be another intense day.
There are some legendary stages tomorrow – what do you know about conditions?
I don’t know much yet, we will have our gravel crew tomorrow morning. It should be mainly dry, but it will be cold icy and frosty on the top – there will be places to make a difference… and a mistake! We both want to win, everybody wants win Monte Carlo, it’s a magical rally we all enjoy a lot. We have made a big difference from the rest and we both want to cross the finish line. Second could be good for the championship, but I’m pretty sure Thierry will push to the end and we will do the same.
If you won tomorrow, you would join Walter Rohrl as a driver winning this event with four manufacturers and it would be Citroen’s 100th win – does that add pressure?
Those statistics are very nice, but that’s not what you have in mind when you are driving. Of course it would be great to do that, to take six wins in row and seven in Monte Carlo. I always say if I have a bad season and I can win only one rally then it would be this one – this is why I try tomorrow. I will fight tomorrow.
Thierry Neuville (2nd at 4″3 – Hyundai i20 WRC)
Thierry, what’s the plan tomorrow?
Obviously first of all we had a great day today, it was really enjoyable in the car and we really tried to catch Seb, but it’s always difficult when we are on the same tyres on stages which we know. All in all, it’s been a good day. We look forward to tomorrow, the plan is to catch Seb and to keep the pressure, but also we must think about the championship. We have to think about this.
Thinking about the championship, does that mean the little extra risk not there?
I always try to drive without risks. Of course there are risks, but I try to be on the safe side. When we are in a fight, like in Sardinia last year you try to push a little harder. Tomorrow we have some demanding stages, we don’t know about the conditions and we have to do four stages on the same tyres.
What was the gap going into the final day in Sardinia last year?
It was 4.3! No… it was 2.8 or something. A little bit less.
Sébastien Loeb (3rd at 1’58″7 – Hyundai i20 WRC)
Sebastien, you have battled hard today, but you have two drivers chasing you hard for third…
Yes, for sure. I was struggling a little bit with my set-up. I couldn’t get the confidence from the understeer in the morning, especially with the tricky conditions in the stage. But in the afternoon I was able to get my confidence and I could push harder. I have Jari-Matti just two seconds behind and [Ott] Tanak closing the gap with every stage, so I don’t know what I will be able to do tomorrow. We are not in the fight for the win, but for the podium. I will try to find a good rhythm to stay on the podium.
And how do you feel physically?
I am always motivated, for sure the motivation is a bit different – I’m not here to win the championship, but I am here to help Hyundai take some points. I always want to fight for the victory if I can, that’s not the case here. It was a tough month of January with a lot of driving, but I enjoy driving and it’s a long time since I was here at the start in Monte Carlo. I always enjoy the incredible atmosphere on this rally.
How was the loop for you, Ott?
It was slippery, some places more than others. It was a big job reading the road and the conditions. But we made a good choice and I’m happy with the car and tyres; in a way we were safe, but it also looked like a smart choice.
Can you take confidence from tonight?
Definitely. It’s good to get a good start, but there’s a long, long way to go and, in a way, it won’t get easier it could get more tricky. There’s a big job to do and a lot of focus needed.
What was that second stage like?
It was 99 per cent full dry, maybe just two places with ice. In one place I was struggling to get out of the hairpin, but everywhere was else bone dry.
After a traditional summer break, we inform you that the restaurant “Le Club” is open to members and their guests from Tuesday 4th September 2018.
Discover our menus on our website, item AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE MONACO / RESTAURANT
Reservations: (+377) 93 30 32 27
This 22nd edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique distinguishes itself by the diversity of its course, starting with the return of Milan and Athens as starting cities. A 2019 edition that the Organizing Committee of the “Automobile Club de Monaco ” has wished to be as attractive as ever, with, most notably, regularity zones that have often been the most memorable moments of the event! This year, once again, numerous will be those who will fight for victory, and thereby succeed to Gianmaria Aghem and Diego Cumino, winners of the 2018 edition with their Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1200.
Only three days after the arrival of the 87th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo, competitors authorized to race in the 22e Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique will have to face a selective course. As always, the Rallye Historique is reserved to those cars which have participated in the Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo between 1955 and 1980. With the goal of having every competitor have a chance to rank honorably well, there will be, once more, in 2019, three averages to respect and keep up during the entirety of the event.
The start of this 22nd edition will be Wednesday January 30th, with the concentration leg from Glasgow (2159 km / 18:00) and Athens (1489 km / 20:00). Those who leave Friday February 1st will follow Bad Homburg (1175 km / 14:00), Barcelona (929 km / 19:00), Reims (950 km / 19:00), Milan (832 km /20:00) and Monte-Carlo (729 km / 20:00). With a common destination, Buis-les-Baronnies, in the heart of the department of Drôme. There will be a checkpoint that the first competitors will reach Saturday February 2nd around 09:30. A concentration leg that will be far from over, since the crews will have to first go through two regularity zones, well known to the specialists of the event: “Montauban-sur-l’Ouvèze – Saint-André-de-Rosans / RZ 1 / 49.40 km / 10:00” and “La Motte-Chalancon – Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert / RZ 2 / 22.10 km / 12:00”. To end this chapter of the concentration leg, the last time control of the day is planned for Crest at 14:00, before rejoining Valence, Drôme, the host city of the rally where the first competitors will be awaited at the Champs de Mars around 15:00.
Traveling towards the Ardèche department, Sunday February 3rd at 06:50 for the Classification Leg, where the morning program is, “La Croze – Antraigues-sur-Volane / RZ 3 / 57.10 km / 07:50” and its traditional stop in front of the famous Remise, dear to the Jouanny family. Then there will be another legendary stage “Burzet – Lachamp-Raphaël / RZ 4 / 49.40 km / 09:55”, in a new version that goes through Saint-Martial. The mid-day pause is planned for 12:40, at Saint-Agrève market place, where there will be a tasting of regional products, this allows everyone involved to enjoy a pleasurable moment before taking on the loop “Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid / ZR 5 / 25.80 km / 13:20” then “Saint-Pierre-sur-Doux – Col du Buisson / RZ 6 / 22.60 km / 14:10”. The return to Valence (16:40) will be once more preceded by the traditional and festive stop at the quai Farconnet in Tournon-sur-Rhône starting from 15:50.
Traveling towards the mountains of Vercors and Diois on Monday February 4th at 06:30, for the 1st part of the Common Leg. On this day you will need to be tough, the plan is: “Col Gaudissart – La Cime du Mas / ZR 7 / 18.10 km / 08 :10” via the Col de L’Echarasson (1146m), “Col de l’Arzelier – Saint-Michel-les-Portes / RZ 8 / 29.40 km / 09:50”, “Chichilianne – Les Nonières / RZ 9 / 21.90 km / 13 :15”, via the Col de Menée (1457 m) and finally, “Mémorial de Vassieux-en-Vercors – Bouvante le Bas / RZ 10 / 24.70 km / 13:20”. The last stop of the day before the return to Valence (15:30) will be at Place du Champ de Mars in Saint-Jean-en-Royans with a time check starting 14:20.
Tuesday February 5th, the departure is planned for 05:30. This 2nd part of the Common Leg will start with “Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert – Gumiane / RZ 11 / 27.00 km / 07:00”, with no less than 7 passes to go through. Competitors still in the race will continue with “Verclause – Laborel / RZ 12 / 27.00 km / 08:30” and the loop “Entrevaux – Entrevaux / RZ 13 / 15.90 km / 12h15” via the col de Félines. The last time check before entering the Parc Fermé in Monaco (14:50) will be at Place Neuve in La Turbie, starting at 14:20.
The departure of the Final Leg, planned for the night of Tuesday 5th to Wednesday February 6th, will take place in Monaco starting at 20:30. On the menu for this last night “Col de Braus – La-Bollène-Vésubie / RZ 14 / 35.40 km / 21:45” and “Lantosque – Lucéram / RZ 15 / 20.60 km / 23:05”. Arrival on the Port Hercule de Monaco around 01:00.
Finally, according to tradition, the Gala and the Prize Giving will take place on the evening of Wednesday February 6th in the Salle des Etoiles du Monte-Carlo Sporting Club (evening dress mandatory or dark clothing mandatory).
PS: Distances and times are subject to change until official publication
Monaco , 30th July 2018
In 2019, the Automobile Club de Monaco will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Grand Prix de Monaco !
Don’t miss this unique event, which be held from 23rd-26th May 2019.
Book your tickets now:
by following this link: Official Ticketing of the Automobile Club of Monaco
44, rue Grimaldi, 98 000 MONACO
+ 377 93 15 26 24
[email protected]
The Ticketing Office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm & 2pm to 5pm.
Members of the Automobile Club de Monaco are eligible for a 10% discount on two seats purchased for Saturday and/or Sunday.
Desired to be vying and more compact by the Organising Committee of the Automobile Club de Monaco , the route of this 87th edition of the Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo, inaugural round of the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), should be appreciated by the competitors, despite the numerous difficulties it contains. We present an event remodelled by 40% compared to the 2018 event, and once more filled with many surprises…
After two and half strenuous days for recce, from Monday January 21st 2019at 12:00 to Wednesday January 23rd at 21:00, competitors who are authorised to start, will be able to get ready to do so Thursday January 24th at 10:00 during Shakedown (3.35 km).This section, located on La Garde road, will be identical to the last three editions in the commune of Gap. The partner city of Gap will welcome the rally for the 6th consecutive year, so the Service Park will once more be situated near the Fontreyne nautical stadium.
The official startof the 87th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo is scheduled for Thursday January 24th starting 18:50 from the Place Desmichels in Gap. During this first nocturnal leg, there will be two unprecedented special stages of a total of 41.35 kilometres. These two specials, “La Bréole/ Selonnet” (SS 1 – 20.76 km – 19:38) and “Avançon / Notre-Dame-du-Laus” (SS 2 – 20.59 km – 20:41), disputed in the departments of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and of Hautes-Alpes, will be revealing of the best pilots in the championship.
Friday January 25th, heading South-West of Gap, the 2nd day of the race will take place over two departments (Drôme and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), for a total of 125.12 kilometres, all of which will be timed. This will be, by far, the most tiring day of the rally, with a loop of three geographically spaced out special stages that will be completed twice. With the unprecedented “Valdrôme / Sigottier”(SS 3/6 – 20.04 km – 9:11 / 14:23), then “Roussieux / Laborel” (SS 4/7 – 24.05 km – 10:14 / 15:26) which last year went until Eygalayes, and “Curbans / Piégut” (SS 5/8 – 18.47 km – 11:37 / 16:49) part of the course last driven in the 2000s, indeed, this day will be a really difficult one.
The 3rd day of the race, Saturday January 26th, North-West, then North-Est of Gap, with a total of 93.38 kilometres, timed, will be just a tough as the last two. A double loop in the departments of Isère and Hautes-Alpes, consisting of “Agnières-en-Dévoluy / Corps” (SS 9/11 – 29.82 km – 08:48 / 12:47) and of “Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes/ La Bâtie-Neuve” (SS 10/12 – 16.87 km – 10:06 / 14:08) where the tyres choice will be often dependant on the weather conditions. Then, after an ultimate stop at the Service Park in Gap-Fontreyne in the late afternoon, competitors still in the race will make their way back to the Principality of Monaco in the early evening.
The conclusion of the rally, on Sunday January 27th, day of Saint Devote, Patron Saint of Monaco , will consist of four timed events, for a total of 63.98 kilometres, without assistance, in the back country of the Alpes-Maritimes. A final leg identical to the 2018 edition in which competitors will go through twice between the timed sectors of “La Bollène-Vésubie / Peïra-Cava” (SS 13/15 – 18.41 km – 08:20 / 10:55) and of “La Cabanette / Col de Braus” (SS 14/16 – 13.58 km – 09:08 / 12:18) which will be used as a Power Stage at the end of the second loop.
Monaco , January 2nd 2019
