Sebastien Ogier has staged a stunning comeback to lead the Monte Carlo rally as poor weather continued to taunt the best rally drivers in the world.
After his precarious start following the first six stages on the opening day, Ogier transformed a 47s deficit into a 51s lead following the completion of the 11th special stage.
Bryan Bouffier has been pushed back to second overall with Citroen charger Kris Meeke in third but over 1:38s behind.
Volkswagen’s defending world champion Ogier made his move in SS9, the second run through the 49.03km where Bouffier (M-Sport Ford Fiesta) spun and lost 40s.
Ogier stepped up his tempo and survived having two huge moments before claiming the stage.
“Thankfully we made an intelligent tyre choice today,” Ogier said.
Secure your spot today.
“However, the heavy rain meant conditions were once again extremely difficult. In particular, the spots with fresh bitumen were almost like ice.
There is a good reason why we drivers call those conditions ‘Black Ice’.
“On the whole, we are happy with the second day. After all, we not only reduced the deficit but are actually ahead of Bouffier going into the final day.”
On the same stage Jari-Matti Latvala lost three minutes with a puncture while Robert Kubica, who had shown decent pace to be among the leaders, went off the road and out of the event.
Once Latvala resumed he was then bottled up behind Elfyn Evans for several kilometres before the Welsh driver could move over and let him overtake.
Mikko Hirvonen’s return to M-Sport has started miserably with the Ford Fiesta driver losing a stack of time when his windscreen misted up in the wet conditions as the rally continued to dish up mixed weather patterns.
Mads Ostberg clings to fourth place ahead of Latvala with Evans next while Hirvonen is seventh.
Right from the start of day 2, Ogier commenced his fightback by topping the opening run through the 49.03km Faye stage, when he was 11.7s quicker than the rally pacesetter Bouffier.
The WRC field went into his second day without the two new Hyundai Shell World Rally Team i20s of Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo who were both sent out of the rally ignominiously on the opening day.
Neuville crashed on the opening special stage while Sordo, who showed blinding pace in an under developed car, had hopes of a dream debut for the Korean manufacturer dashed when the car could not be started before the start of SS5.
The rally will be decided on the third day with repeat runs through the 23.40km Moulinet and 16.55km Breil Sur Roya stages which will be split with a Monaco service after SS13.
Top 10 after 11 of 15 stages
| 1 | S. OGIER | Volkswagen | |
| 2 | B. BOUFFIER | Ford | +51.1 |
| 3 | K. MEEKE | Citroen | +1:38.6 |
| 4 | M. OSTBERG | Citroen | +2:48.9 |
| 5 | J. LATVALA | Volkswagen | +6:04.4 |
| 6 | E. EVANS | Ford | +6:14.5 |
| 7 | M. HIRVONEN | Ford | +6:43.7 |
| 8 | A. MIKKELSEN | Volkswagen | +10:16.9 |
| 9 | J. MELICHAREK | Ford | +16:00.8 |
| 10 | M. GAMBA | Peugeot | +20:01.4 |
