Sebastien Ogier Wins Monte Carlo Rally

 

 

Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia had a few hairy moments in the rally but unlike other drivers he managed to keep his car on the road to beat home Bryan Bouffier’s Ford Fiesta RS by 1:18.9s and the Citroen of Kris Meeke in third.

 

For the second year in a row the  pernumnatal stage across Col De Turnini was halted due to bad weather, with Jaroslav Melicharek Fiesta unable to get to the Col “All of a sudden, we were in a queue of rally cars about a kilometre before the top of the Col de Turini. Eventually, some of the spectators managed to pull Melicharek’s car out of the snow,” Mikkelsen said.

 

 

On winning the Rallye Monet Carlo Sebastien Ogier said “What a perfect start to the season! The team did a fantastic job. I am overjoyed. It is an amazing feeling to win the Rally Monte Carlo in these difficult conditions – especially now that the Monte is a round of the World Championship again.

 

For that reason, this win obviously ranks above the victory in the IRC in 2009 for Julien and me. Even more so when you consider the last three days: the fightback in extreme rain, and then the snow chaos on the Col de Turini. I really wanted to win my home rally here. I will celebrate the win appropriately – with my family, my girlfriend and the entire Volkswagen team.”

 

Ogier team mate Jari MattiLatvala said “I am really happy with fifth place. That was the goal we had set ourselves right from the word go. I have finally brought an end to my poor run at the Rally Monte Carlo. The conditions out on the route were very, very difficult in places – as was the tyre selection, which we did not get right at the start.

 

“The stages in the mountains were hard work, but it was worth it. We scored important points. I am particularly pleased with the extra points from the Power Stage. We now head to the Rally Sweden full of confidence.”

 

 

The Rally of Sweden begins on February 5