Residents urged to avoid fire wreckage cleanup

Residents urged to avoid fire wreckage cleanup
Residents urged to avoid fire wreckage cleanup

Sebastien Ogier secured a historic tenth Monte Carlo Rally victory marking a perfect start to the FIA World Rally Championship season. The eight-time world champion, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, finished 18.5 seconds ahead of teammate Elfyn Evans after a challenging final day through the French Alps.

Adrien Fourmaux, in his debut with Hyundai after switching from M-Sport Ford, claimed third place. The final leg featured treacherous conditions, with drivers navigating icy roads and making crucial tire strategy decisions. Ogier and Evans opted for four studded Hankook tires and two super-soft slicks, while Fourmaux's full-slick setup provided competition on drier sections.

The 41-year-old Ogier, competing part-time this season, also won the final power stage on the iconic Col de Turini, earning additional bonus points. He now leads the championship standings with 33 points, followed by Evans with 26 and Fourmaux with 20. Toyota leads the manufacturers' championship with 60 points to Hyundai's 36.

Defending champion Thierry Neuville finished sixth after a difficult rally plagued by technical issues, while Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera secured fourth place on his return to full-time action. Ott Tanak completed the top five for Hyundai.

In the WRC2 category, Yohan Rossel dominated with his Citroën C3 Rally2, winning 15 of 17 stages and finishing two minutes ahead of his closest competitor. The rally saw several dramatic moments, with multiple drivers, including Sami Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta, sliding off the road during challenging conditions.

The championship continues with Rally Sweden, scheduled for February 13-16, where competitors will face snow and ice conditions in the series' only pure winter event.

After his victory, an emotional Ogier dedicated the win to his late uncle, expressing uncertainty about whether this would be his final Monte Carlo Rally appearance.