Further to a technical problem in SS 13, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) lose more than half an hour, and Sebastien Ogier (Ford) take the lead of the Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Seb, everything changes so quickly on this rally. Thierry Neuville has stopped and you lead. How do you feel? 

SO: I feel amazing. I feel really good. One month ago we started a new project with M-Sport, but we had no time to prepare it. We knew it would be tough and it would be a big challenge, but I felt immediately some potential and now, to be in the lead in Monte Carlo with four stages to go, it feels good. But the last day will feel very, very long. We need to finish the job. It would be amazing to start with a victory

It’s been five years since M-Sport won pressure 

SO: I don’t think too much about it – at least there is another guy from the team right behind me, so it would be a disaster if one of us isn’t here at the end. We have seen what has happened so far this weekend, there have been so many mistakes and so many tricky conditions and this will carry on tomorrow, with maybe some snow on top of Turini.

This is exciting for you… 

SO: Yeah, for sure. We had a lot of run driving the new car this weekend – the challenge is definitely bigger. I repeat, please stay on the safe place [if you are spectating] – we are going even faster than before. Even if it was a new car and many details could be improved, I still had a lot of fun in the car.

Ott Tanak (Ford) take the second place (47’’), while Jari-Matti Latvala the third place (2’20’’).

It is worth mentioning the nice day for Elfyn Evans winner of SS 10,12 and 13.