Forty-seven-year-old Loeb quickly adapted to the icy asphalt tracks after finishing second in the desert Dakar Rally last week. With a Ford Puma hybrid car, he won the opening four of today’s six special stages and is yet to return to the championship, which he last presented in September 2020 in Turkey.
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“I’m glad I finished the day in the lead, but it’s not a big lead,” said Loeb, who won eight times in Monte Carlo. He ended his career as a regular participant in the World Cup in 2012.
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After winning eighth title last year, Ogier has decided to take part in only some rallies with Toyota, which can equal Loeb’s number of triumphs in Monte Carlo on Sunday.
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Elfyn Evans is in third place with a gap of 22 seconds. The British pilot has finished second to his teammate Ogier in the championship in the last two seasons and will attack the premiere title this year.
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The French pilot Adrien Fourmaux and his navigator Alex Coria escaped unscathed from the menacing-looking accident in today’s first test, who, after hitting the slope with their Ford, rolled into the abyss.
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The best of the trio of Czech representatives is Erik Cais with a Ford Fiesta in 15th place.
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| Rallye Monte Carlo, the opening event of the World Car Championship – after the 2nd day: |
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| 1. Loeb, Galmicheová (Fr./Ford Puma) 1:22:49.0 |
| 2. Ogier, Veillas (Fr./Toyota Yaris) -9.9 |
| 3. Evans, Martin (Brit./Toyota Yaris) -22,0 |
| 4. Neuville, Wydaeghe (Belg./Hyundai i20) -47.8 |
| 5. Tänak, Järveoja (Est./Hyundai i20) -56.7 |
| 6. Breen, Nagle (Ir./Ford Puma) -59,2 |
| … 15. Cais, Těšínský (Czech Republic / Ford Fiesta) -6: 11,5., 29. Černý, Černohorský (Czech Republic / Ford Fiesta) -12: 12,9, 56. Rada, Jugas (Czech Republic / Fiat 124 Abarth) -24: 34.3. |
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