French driver Sebastien Ogier began his WRC title defence in brilliant fashion by snatching a sublime victory in the 82nd Monte Carlo Rally.
After a scratchy start on Thursday and several lucky escapes Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia beat Bryan Bouffier’s hired M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS by 1:18.9s with Kris Meeke (Citroen) third.
In appalling conditions, the penultimate stage was cancelled when a car became stuck on the stage in heavy snow which blocked the road in the second run through Turini.
Ford driver Jaroslav Melicharek became stuck in snow, jamming up the road.
Ogier’s team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen also found himself stuck.
“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.
Bleak weather up on the cols served up a diabolical mix of heavy snow, persistent rain and huge amounts of standing water.
But Ogier managed to claim the opening round of the World Rally Championship where rock slides proved hazardous on some of the transport sections around the competitive stages.
On the final day of the prestigious rally which finished deep into Saturday night local time, Ogier clinched wins in the opening loops beginning with the first run through the Turini stage.
“The target was just to control the rally. I think we did quite a good job on the first stage this morning,” Ogier said who went into conservative mode in the final 16.5km power stage leg.
“It’s been a tough weekend. And on top of everything, the last few kilometres were foggy.
“But all the hard work paid off – winning the Monte is every rally driver’s dream.”
Mads Ostberg finished fourth for Citroen while Mikko Hirvonen’s return to M-Sport proved difficult before he was eventually forced to retire with electrical problems on the final stage.
Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala, who picked up three bonus points after establishing the fastest time on the power stage, finished fifth ahead of Elfyn Evans who enjoyed a solid debut for M-Sport in the Ford Fiesta RS in sixth.
Monte Carlo Rally top 10
| 1 | Sebastien Ogier | Volkswagen | 3:55.14.4s |
| 2 | Bryan Bouffier | M-Sport Ford | +1:18.9 |
| 3 | Kris Meeke | Citroen | +1:54.3 |
| 4 | Mads Ostberg | Citroen | +3:53.9 |
| 5 | Jari-Matti Latvala | Volkswagen | +6:08.3 |
| 6 | Elfyn Evans | M-Sport Ford | +8:37.4 |
| 7 | Andreas Mikkelsen | Volkswagen | +11:42.3 |
| 8 | Jaroslav Melicharek | Slovakia Ford | +21:56.2 |
| 9 | Matteo Gamba | Balbosca Peugeot | +23:50.7 |
| 10 | Yuriy Protasov | M-Sport Ford | +25:43.1s |
