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Category: WRC, Rally
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M-Sport Ford’s Sebastien Ogier & Julien Ingrassia take 5th Monte-Carlo win: WRC
Ogier celebrates Monte Carlo win on Sunday. WRC Round1. An M-Sport image Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia notched up their fifth consecutive Rallye Monte-Carlo victory this afternoon, their sixth overall win on home soil. The French reigning FIA World Rally Champions arrived back in the Principality 58.3 seconds ahead of Toyota newcomers Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja who finished a career-best on the event. Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila rounded out the podium on what has been one of the trickiest and incident-packed ‘Montes’ in years.
After the season-opener Ogier takes an eight-point lead over former team-mate Tänak in the Drivers’ Championship with Latvala and Kris Meeke on equal points, one point further behind. M-Sport Ford and Toyota are also on equal points at the head of the Manufacturers’ Championship, 15 points ahead of Citroën who are in turn four points ahead of Hyundai, the team having a disappointing start to their Championship campaign.
With just the final two stages to run, Ogier was able to control the pace and the Frenchman was also aware he didn’t have the optimum tyres to fight for victory on the Power Stage. “It’s been a difficult weekend,” he said. “Often in Monte-Carlo, you have to face hard conditions but this was extremely hard. I’ve never struggled so much with tyre choices, but in the end, we win and I’m super happy with that. Every driver did mistakes this weekend; I did too – just a few less.”
Tänak was delighted with his performance on his debut outing with the Japanese manufacturer. Not prepared to risk his best finish in Monte-Carlo, the Estonian was relieved to start the season with a top result having had a really good feeling with the car and an almost faultless rally. Latvala was also cautious, determined to start the season on a high and kick-start his campaign with important points.
Behind the leading trio, drama unfolded in the closing two stages. Kris Meeke was able to hold off a charging Thierry Neuville, who won the pair of stages and ultimately came to within 10.7 seconds of overhauling the Briton. Both were set to finish fifth and seventh respectively, until Esapekka Lappi dropped time in the first stage with an off into a snow bank, and then crucially threw away fourth in the Power Stage when he went off the road and plummeted to seventh. Both Meeke and Neuville moved up a position and, with the pace Neuville was setting, he also overhauled Elfyn Evans in the Power Stage to take fifth overall by one second. Bryan Bouffier also had an off-road excursion; he finished eighth with Craig Breen ninth for Citroën.
Jan Kopecky claimed 10th overall and maximum points in the FIA WRC 2 Championship category, and Enrico Brazzoli won the FIA WRC 3 Championship for two-wheel drive cars.
The FIA World Rally Championship contenders now head to more snow in the Scandinavian forests for Rally Sweden (15-18 February).
Rallye Monte-Carlo – Final Provisional Classification (subject to scrutineering)
1. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC 4hr 18min 55.5sec 2. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 4hr 19min 53.8sec 3. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC 4hr 20min 47.5sec 4. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle Citroën C3 WRC 4hr 23min 38.6sec 5. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 4hr 23min 49.3sec 6. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt Ford Fiesta WRC 4hr 23min 50.3sec 7. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC 4hr 23min 53.0sec 8. Bryan Bouffier / Xavier Panseri Ford Fiesta WRC 4hr 26min 35.0sec 9. Craig Breen / Scott Martin Citroën C3 WRC 4hr 28min 02.2sec 10. Jan Kopecky / Pavel Dresler Škoda Fabia R5 4hr 35min 38.5sec -
Sebastian Ogier and Julien Ingrassia continue to lead: An M-Sport Ford World Rally team’s view
FAN FAVOURITE OGIER
INCREASES MONTE LEAD
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia continue to hold a popular lead at Rallye Monte-Carlo – increasing the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC’s advantage at the head of the field.
The Blue Oval continues to hold more fastest times than any other manufacturer and has led from the very first stage. With a resurgent Elfyn Evans climbing to sixth, and Bryan Bouffier producing a solid drive in eighth, all three top-specification Fiestas are also positioned safely inside the top-ten.
Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“It’s been another strong day for the team with Sébastien consolidating his lead and Elfyn climbing to sixth with the potential to go even further tomorrow.
“Sébastien really is a master of strategy, and he proved that today. Identifying the first and most challenging stage to make his move, he took more than a minute out of Ott [Tänak] and it’s just been a case of controlling the pace since then.
“Elfyn too has shown great speed and hinted at what could have been were it not for that unlucky puncture on Thursday night. He’s up to sixth now and with less than half a minute separating him from the two positions ahead, there’s a chance to gain even more tomorrow.
“Bryan also has really impressed. This is his first time behind the wheel of one of these new-generation world rally cars and he is delivering a very intelligent drive that could be rewarded with a solid result tomorrow.”
OGIER AND INGRASSIA
LEADERS AFTER STAGE THIRTEEN
Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia continue to hold a popular lead at Rallye Monte-Carlo. Controlling their position behind the wheel of the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC, the French pairing hold a 33.5 second lead ahead of the final 63.98 kilometres.
Making it count when the conditions were at their most challenging, Ogier took more than a minute out of his main rival on the opening stage alone. Consolidating his lead thereafter, just four more stages now stand between the home crowd favourites and a sixth Monte victory.
Stage performances:SS9: 2nd (+22.2)
SS10: 4th (+15.0)
SS11: 2nd (+15.3)
SS12: 6th (+10.6)
SS13: 8th (+16.0)Sébastien Ogier (1st) said:
“We started less than 15 seconds in front of Ott [Tänak] and now we have an advantage of 33 seconds so I am happy with that.
“We had a really good first stage in extremely challenging conditions where we managed to take a lot of time. It was a bit trickier after that, but it’s never easy to manage the gap when the conditions are this difficult. It’s not my style to take unnecessary risks so maybe I was a bit too careful, but it’s been a good day overall.
“We still have 64 kilometres to go and I know Ott will give it everything until the end so we cannot afford to relax, and will need to stay focused with good pace in the morning.”
EVANS AND BARRITT
SIXTH AFTER STAGE THIRTEEN
Continuing their fight back, Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt have climbed to sixth place overall with the potential for further gains behind the wheel of their EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC tomorrow.
Despite being disadvantaged by their early running order through this morning’s snow-strewn stages, the pairing kept their heads and pushed hard to gain time on their rivals.
As the snow cleared for the afternoon loop, Evans upped his pace with a string of competitive stage times. Not even an intermittent issue with the intercom could slow his speed – the Welshman just 2.9 seconds adrift of the fastest time on SS12 whilst only hearing 40 percent of the pacenotes.
With just 21.7 seconds separating him from fourth place, and four tricky stages left to contest, Evans could yet make further advances and there remains all to play for.
Stage performances:
SS9: 8th (+1:32.3)
SS10: 6th (+22.0)
SS11: 3rd (+18.3)
SS12: 4th (+2.9)
SS13: 2nd (+2.1)Elfyn Evans (6th) said:
“It’s not been the easiest day for sure, but I think we can be satisfied with our performance. We saw a lot of contrasting and challenging conditions today – and the morning stages were especially difficult. With our road position considered, I think the pace was pretty good.
“There’s just over 20 seconds separating us from the guys ahead, but it looks as though the conditions could be a bit more settled tomorrow. That will make it difficult to produce any big gains, but we have to keep going and see what’s possible.”
BOUFFIER AND PANSERI
EIGHTH AFTER STAGE THIRTEEN
Bryan Bouffier and Xavier Panseri currently hold eighth place on their maiden outing with the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC.
Discovering the performance of the top-specification Fiesta, the Frenchmen have delivered an intelligent drive through the event’s typically challenging terrain.
Making the right calls on the tyres and driving to the conditions, the pairing could well be rewarded with a solid result come the end of the rally.
Stage performances:
SS9: 7th (+1:32.1)
SS10: 8th (+33.1)
SS11: 8th (+47.5)
SS12: 9th (+13.2)
SS13: 9th (+22.0)Bryan Bouffier (8th) said:
“This has been a typical day at Rallye Monte-Carlo with a lot of different and challenging conditions. It’s what makes this rally so enjoyable, and it has been a lot of fun.
“At times it can be difficult to adapt the pace to the slippery sections and those with more grip, but it’s been a good day and I am quite happy.”
ELSEWHERE
IN THE TEAM
Teemu Suninen said:
“I’m really thankful to the mechanics who were able to repair the car last night as we’ve had a really good day today. I was really pleased with my pace and was able to learn a lot about this difficult rally – especially about the weather, and about the tyre choices. It’s a shame about the mistake yesterday, but today has been much better for us.”
Eric Camilli said:
“We had a problem with a fuel pump sensor on the first stage this afternoon [SS11]. We tried everything we could to fix it, but at the end it wasn’t possible to continue.
“It’s been a disappointing weekend because the pace was good and we really wanted to push for the victory, but it wasn’t to be.”
OVERALL
CLASSIFICATION
1. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) 3:30:30.9
2. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +33.5
3. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +59.2
4. Esapekka Lapp / Janne Ferme (Toyota Yaris WRC) +3:05.8
5. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Citroen DS3 WRC) +4:40.1
6. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +5:00.2
7. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +5:33.6
8. Bryan Bouffier / Xavier Panseri (Ford Fiesta WRC) +5:43.4
9. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen DS3 WRC) +8:49.0
10. Jan Kopecky / Pavel Dresler (Skoda Fabia R5) +14:04.4-ENDS-
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WRC – OGIER PULLS CLEAR
Sébastien Ogier’s lead over Ott Tänak has increased significantly after Saturday’s first two stages, the Frenchman setting a blistering pace and taking nearly a minute out of his former team-mate on the super tricky snow-filled opener. The Estonian pulled back a few seconds in the following stage but remains one minute 3.4 seconds adrift heading into a re-run of the loop. Jari-Matti Latvala has powered up the leaderboard from fifth to third, overhauling team-mate Esapekka Lappi and benefitting when Dani Sordo slid off the road into retirement
Today is another long one for the crews and takes in two identical loops of two stages this morning before rounding off the day with one more stage and then the long drive back to Monaco for the halt. Overnight snow made conditions incredibly difficult, mild conditions then turning the snow to slush which made it treacherous for everyone and benefitted those running further down the field as cleaner lines started to appear. Ogier may have pulled clear and only been beaten by Andreas Mikkelsen on the stage, but the Frenchman was lucky not to be hampered by a broken wheel and described the stage as the ‘worst of his career’. Tänak managed to claw back 15 seconds with fastest time in the shorter St Leger Le Melezes stage, despite complaining about a damper problem. Latvala, hot on Lappi’s heels last night, took full advantage this morning and is now just over 25 seconds ahead, his younger team-mate describing conditions in the opening stage as ‘not on this planet’.
Kris Meeke has moved one place up the leaderboard into fifth courtesy of Sordo but he lost more than 10 seconds with a spin in the first stage. Bryan Bouffier has inched closer, despite playing it safe, but has Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville on his heels looking to improve their positions on the season opener. They are seventh and eighth respectively, Evans having a spin and Neuville a small overshoot. Craig Breen, opening the road today, had the worst of the conditions and is ninth ahead of FIA WRC 2 Championship contender Jan Kopecky. Jean-Baptiste Franceschi continues to top the WRC 3 category in his Fiesta R2T.
eom
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Defending champ Ogier-Ingrassia lead after opening night stages: Rallye Monte-Carlo, WRC
S Ogier and navigator Ingrassia lead after first round in the Rally Monte Carlo, the season opener of the WRC on Wednesday. An M-Sport Ford Rally team image Reigning FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier has made the perfect start to Rallye Monte-Carlo, the Frenchman scooping the first two stage wins and a 17.3 second lead after Thursday’s opening night stages. Andreas Mikkelsen heads Hyundai’s challenge in second with team-mate Dani Sordo third a further 8.3 seconds adrift of the Norwegian.
“M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia lead the first round with a 17.3-second advantage aboard their EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC.
“As five-time winners of the prestigious event, the pairing knows exactly what it takes to master the notoriously challenging conditions. This year’s fixture threw up an immensely challenging opener – Sisteron, in reverse, in the dark – but Ogier and Ingrassia did not falter,” added a Ford Team release.
Sébastien Ogier (1st) said:
“We knew it would be tough to cross the icy section with slick tyres and we actually had a spin there. I think almost everyone had a moment in there, but luckily we didn’t lose too much time. The rest of the stage was also very tricky with the grip changing all the time and it was challenging to know where you could and couldn’t push.
“I was happy with the car and in these conditions and you need to be comfortable or you don’t have any chance to be fast. There are still some small things here and there that we can do to improve, but I’m happy and it’s a good start.”
The eagerly awaited 2018 FIA World Rally Championship kicked off this evening in Monaco, the crews leaving the famous Casino Square late afternoon and then heading directly into two daunting stages en route back to the overnight halt in Gap. Ogier was on the pace immediately, despite a low-speed spin on sheet ice, and the Gap-born driver overnights happy with his early performance. Mikkelsen, in his first full season with Hyundai, lost the brakes in the first stage but sits just 17.3 seconds adrift and ahead of Sordo who returns to the Championship with his former co-driver Carlos del Barrio.
Behind the leading trio, Esapekka Lappi surprisingly heads the trio of Toyota drivers. The Finn is on a mission not to make mistakes and while admitting his pace wasn’t the best, he was happy his confidence was building in tricky conditions. Toyota newcomer, Ott Tänak, is five seconds further behind in fifth having hit a bank in the first stage and suffering from massive understeer. Jari-Matti Latvala, in the third Yaris WRC, spun twice and played a gamble with three super soft tyres, admitting he needed to try something different. Craig Breen is seventh in the lead Citroën C3 WRC but the Irish driver stalled and got stuck in snow in the first stage and then struggled in the second when he ran out of time to set the tyre pressures before the start; a nightmare start to his 2018 campaign. Bryan Bouffier, drafted into the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team for this event, is eighth and Kris Meeke ninth. The Northern Irishman made a stupid mistake in the opener, spinning and then reversing into a ditch which cost him a precious minute. Eric Camilli holds 10th overall and leads the FIA WRC 2 Championship contenders ahead of Jan Kopecky.
Elfyn Evans has also had a bad start and is down in 16th overall, the Welshman picking up a puncture which he had to stop and change. Thierry Neuville fared even worse, the Belgian one place behind after locking up and skidding into a snow bank.
The FIA WRC 3 Championship is being led by Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Franceschi in a Fiesta R2T.
Rallye Monte-Carlo – Provisional results after Section 1
1. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC 38min 09.8sec 2. Andreas Mikkelsen / Anders Jæger Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 38min 27.1sec 3. Dani Sordo / Carlos del Barrio Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 38min 35.4sec 4. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC 38min 47.2sec 5. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 38min 52.2sec 6. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC 39min 05.2sec 7. Craig Breen / Scott Martin Citroën C3 WRC 39min 12.1sec 8. Bryan Bouffier / Xavier Panseri Ford Fiesta WRC 40min 00.8sec 9. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle Citroën C3 WRC 40min 22.5sec 10. Eric Camilli / Benjamin Veillas Ford Fiesta R5 40min 52.0sec -
Rally Monte-Carlo to kickstart the WRC season:
A file photo of WRC action by FIA. Rallye Monte-Carlo, the oldest and most famous rally in the world, kick starts the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship and this year runs one week later than normal (25-28 January). While essentially an asphalt rally, the event’s winter slot in January almost certainly guarantees a tricky mix of dry and wet roads, treacherously slippery ice and snow. As such, tyre choice is always a gamble and compromise, as all these conditions could be found in one stage requiring drivers to be able to read the road, manage pace and tyre wear throughout not just one stage but an entire loop.
The teams now have one year behind them with the new generation of World Rally Cars, but competition is sure to remain as fierce and unpredictable as each manufacturer demonstrated rally-winning pace in the debut season with the cars. While most of the driver line-ups stay the same, there are nevertheless some exciting new combinations sure to add another dimension in Monte-Carlo. Reigning FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier remains with M-Sport Ford with Elfyn Evans as his regular team-mate. Bryan Bouffier, however, joins the squad as something of a specialist with eight starts and one victory to his name. Hyundai will be fielding Thierry Neuville, Andreas Mikkelsen, and Dani Sordo, who returns this season with former co-driver Carlos del Barrio. Ott Tänak will make his debut for Toyota, partnering Jari-Matti Latvala and Esapekka Lappi, both of whom won events for the Japanese marque in its first season back in the WRC last year. Citroën regulars Kris Meeke and Craig Breen round off the manufacturer entries for the all-important season-opener.
The FIA WRC 2 and WRC 3 Championship crews will be back in action and Rallye Monte-Carlo is also the opening round of the FIA RGT Cup.
Before any of the action gets underway, however, the WRC Season Opening celebration will kick off the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship in Monaco on Thursday afternoon.
THE 2018 ROUTE
As ever, Casino Square in Monte-Carlo will host the start ceremony on Thursday and the crews immediately head into the first two night stages as they make their way back to Gap for the overnight halt. Thoard-Sisteron is effectively new, running in the opposite direction for the first time in the WRC. Friday the drivers head south of Gap for the longest day of the event covering two loops of three stages and 144.88 competitive kilometres, Roussieux-Eygalayes and Vaumeilh-Claret new to the itinerary this year. Saturday is another long but largely familiar day and takes the crews back to Monaco for the overnight halt. Sunday’s two stages see the drivers twice over the iconic Col de Turini and La Cabanette-Col de Braus, which is again new this year and will also run as the closing Power Stage. The traditional prize-giving then takes place in front of Monaco’s Place du Palais Princier, one of the highlights of the season.
Three stages will be broadcast live on television; SS12, SS15 and SS17, with all stages also available live on the newly launched WRC All Live on the WRC+ platform.
RALLY DATA
Total distance:
Stage distance:
Number of stages:1,642.40 km
388.59 km (23.66%)
17eom/FIA press release
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A summary of WRC rule changes for 2018
Throughout the course of last year, the World Motor Sports Council approved a number of changes to the Sporting Regulations for the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship. The main amendments are as follows:
Private teams or individual drivers will be permitted to enter 2017 specification World Rally Cars on WRC events, without the obligation to be entered by a manufacturer. P1 status will be given to all drivers entered with 2017 WRC Cars. Such entries will, however, remain subject to the approval of the FIA Rally Department.
Dedicated testing regulations for P1 drivers entered with a 2017 WRC Car but who are not nominated to score points for a manufacturer have been introduced. These drivers are not permitted to test outside Europe, bringing them into line with the restrictions placed on the other P1 teams.
If a driver is shown in the Power Stage classification but is not classified in the Final Classification, the Stewards will decide whether the next competitor should be moved up in the Power Stage classification for the attribution of Power Stage points.
DMACK, Michelin and Pirelli are the official tyre suppliers for 2018. Pirelli is the official partner of the FIA Junior WRC Championship and for competitors registered solely in the FIA WRC 3 Championship, there is no imposed tyre supplier.
Tyres used during the shakedown will not count in the overall quantity for the rally. For WRC Cars, the four tyres used during the shakedown must be from the same compound, as defined by the tyre suppliers.
The FIA WRC 2 Championship will continue to be contested over seven events, with the best six scores counting towards the title. However there will no longer be mandatory rallies.
Drivers entered with R5 cars who are not registered in the FIA WRC 2 Championship, or who have not been entered by a registered WRC 2 Team during the year, may use any tyre brand, including those not nominated by the FIA for the WRC.
There will be no WRC Trophy title, although 2016 World Rally Cars remain eligible in the Championship events.
eom/FIA release
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M-Sport Ford World Rally Team ready for Season Opener in Monte Carlo
CARDS ON THE TABLE
FOR SEASON OPENER IN MONTE-CARLO
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team are ready to put their cards on the table for the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship. Taking to the wheel of the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC at the traditional season opener, Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Bryan Bouffier are prepared to fight for one of rallying’s most sought-after accolades – a Rallye Monte-Carlo victory.
The team completed two comprehensive test sessions in anticipation – a development test at the end of last year followed by a more targeted set-up session last week. A thrilling competition awaits, and the Cumbrian squad are determined to put their best foot forward with the first roll of the dice.
RALLYE MONTE-CARLO
AN ICONIC CHALLENGE
There’s nothing quite like a victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo. It’s something every driver wants to achieve and something everyone will be pushing for this week.
As an iconic fixture in the FIA World Rally Championship, the Monegasque event represents the ultimate challenge – changeable mountain weather bringing unpredictable conditions that can see the crews encounter snow, ice and dry asphalt in a single stage.
Tyre choices can often prove pivotal and the crews will have to decipher the best combination – and often the best compromise. It is, in essence, the definitive test of strategy.
Facing the challenge head on, M-Sport Ford will have no fewer than 22 team members solely responsible for reporting the conditions. From the weather crews to famous names such as Simon Jean Joseph, Phil Mills and Jarmo Lehtinen to name but a few in the gravel crews, every effort is made to stay a step ahead.
This year the challenge will be intensified as the rally gets underway with one of the sport’s most daunting stages – Sisteron, in reverse, in the dark.
As heart-rates rise on the start line, a challenging stage will launch a thrilling start to the 2018 season.
MALCOLM WILSON
THE MAN BEHIND THE TEAM
Following the most successful season in M-Sport’s history, Team Principal Malcolm Wilson OBE is determined to see the team continue in the same vein this year. The team are resolute on defending their FIA World Rally Championship titles but remain acutely aware that the competition will be stronger than ever.
Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“Last year saw us enjoy our most successful season in motorsport and that’s something that we want to see continue in 2018. The hard work has not stopped and everyone has been working around the clock to ensure that we start our title defence on a high.
“We have completed two comprehensive test sessions and the feeling amongst the team is more determined than ever. It might not be possible to make huge gains within the regulations, but we have been working with our partners to enhance what was already an extremely strong package.
“Every team is capable of securing the ultimate prize this year and I am expecting the competition to be closer than ever. It’s so difficult to predict who will even come out on top this week, and that in itself is fantastic for the sport.
“In Sébastien, Elfyn and Bryan we have three very competent and intelligent drivers who are all more than capable of securing a Monte-Carlo victory. That has to be our aim so let’s see what happens. Like every rally fan, I am very much looking forward to the start of this exciting new season.”
OGIER AND INGRASSIA
THE FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMPIONS
Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia head into 2018 as the crew to beat – the reigning World Champions and the reigning Rallye Monte-Carlo victors. The Monegasque event may be notoriously difficult to predict, but few would bet against the Frenchmen.
Having contested the rally on six previous occasions, they have five victories to their name – as part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2009 and unbeaten in the WRC since 2014.
Previous starts: 8
Previous WRC starts: 6
Best result: 1st (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2009)
Best WRC result: 1st (2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014)Sébastien Ogier said:
“We start the new season with an event that is always a real highlight for me – Rallye Monte-Carlo. As my home event, I always want to give my best and challenge for the top results.
“We started something great here last year and want to try and build on that in 2018. We will need to work hard as the competition will be very tough. Every team has a winning car and a winning driver so everyone is a threat and we need to be ready right from the start.
“It’s such a challenging start to the season – the ultimate test with extreme conditions that can see us go from dry Tarmac to pure ice and snow in the space of a single stage. It’s certainly not easy, but that’s what makes a good result here so rewarding.
“We’ll start this year with what could be the biggest challenge of the entire rally – Sisteron, in reverse, in the dark. It doesn’t get much tougher than that, but that’s Monte. It’s always a challenge and that will be the case from the very first stage this year.”
EVANS AND BARRITT
THE LATEST WINNING PARTNERSHIP
After securing their maiden victory on home soil at last year’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB, Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt are hungry for more and could well be the dark horse for a championship challenge in 2018.
Having contested Rallye Monte-Carlo on four previous occasions, the pairing have collated good knowledge and often shown promising speed through the challenging terrain – just 0.5 seconds shy of a stage win on the third stage of their joint world rally car debut in 2014 and posting a string of three fastest stage times more recently in 2017.
Previous starts: 4
Best result: 6th (2017)Elfyn Evans said:
“Rallye Monte-Carlo is one of those events that every driver looks forward to. I’ve always said that it offers some of the best Tarmac roads in the world, but at this time of year the conditions make it a true challenge and the ultimate test of strategy. To do well, you really do need to get absolutely everything right.
“We’ve just completed two days of testing in mixed conditions. The road was constantly evolving which is great when it comes to getting a flavour for everything we’ve come to expect on a rally like this, but it can also be a bit of a double-edged sword at times – making it difficult to judge which direction to go in terms of set-up.
“Overall, I would say that we had two pretty good tests and that we are feeling fairly well prepared. Monte can always be a bit of a lottery and it can go either way, but we’re definitely ready to get the season started. We want to start the year on a high, so we’ll give it our best and see what happens.”
BOUFFIER AND DEGOUT
THE EXPERIENCE AND THE KNOWLEDGE
Joining the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team for Rallye Monte-Carlo, Bryan Bouffier’s extensive knowledge could prove invaluable. As a previous winner of the prestigious event, the Frenchman knows what it takes to succeed and has more experience than most when it comes to reading the changeable conditions.
This will however be his first time behind the wheel of a new-generation world rally car. To prepare for his latest debut, Bouffier took to the co-drivers’ seat alongside Sébastien Ogier during last week’s test. Taking note of the World Champion’s advice, he and co-driver Jérôme Degout then completed a full day of testing so as to be best prepared for the challenges ahead.
Previous starts: 8
Previous WRC starts: 6
Best result: 1st (2011)
Best WRC result: 2nd (2014)Bryan Bouffier said:
“Since learning that I would be driving the Ford Fiesta WRC, Rallye Monte-Carlo could not come soon enough! It’s one of my favourite events and having the opportunity to do it in one of these new generation world rally cars – the championship-winning car – is a dream come true.
“I have a lot of experience at Rallye Monte-Carlo which helps when it comes to reading the road and adapting the pace to suit the conditions, but this event is never easy. It’s one of the toughest events on the calendar and to do well you need to drive a clever rally by making the right calls on the tyres and finding the right balance between pushing hard and being more cautious.
“As one of the ‘French’ events, I feel at home at Rallye Monte-Carlo and am really looking forward to it. First and foremost, we want to have fun. We’ll start in a relaxed frame of mind and if we could help the team by scoring some good points for the manufacturers’ championship it would be amazing.”
ELSEWHERE
IN THE TEAM
Éric Camilli and Teemu Suninen will both take to the wheel of the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta R5 as part of the FIA World Rally Championship’s premier support series – WRC 2. Here’s what they had to say ahead of Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Éric Camilli said:
“Rallye Monte-Carlo is my home event and one that I always look forward to. This will be my fourth time here and I hope that experience will help. Anything can happen on the Monte, but that added knowledge should help when it comes to reading the road and knowing when to push and when to be more cautious.
“The competition will be really tough, but I hope that we can pull everything together for a strong result. This rally is very unforgiving so we will need to work hard and make all the right choices. We will need to be clever and give it our very best.”
Teemu Suninen said:
“This is only my second attempt at Rallye Monte-Carlo so I don’t have a vast amount of experience on these roads. My main aim is to drive well even if the conditions are very challenging – which they usually are on this rally! The WRC 2 category will be very competitive, but we will give it our best and aim to learn as much as we can.
“I feel really happy at M-Sport with my excellent team mates. They are all very experienced and there is no better driver to learn from than Sébastien Ogier. Everyone is very open when it comes to help and advice, so it is the best place for me to be and improve my driving.”
eom/M-Sport press release posted by David Bodapati
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Gaurav Gill wins MRF fmsci K-1000, clinches fifth National title: Indian National Rally Championship
Gill finally opens up a spray as his co-driver is late in getting off the podium to avoid the champagne attack from the champ. K1000
PD on 21jan2018 . Image by David BodapatiTumakuru (Karnataka), 21 Jan 2018: King of Indian Motorsports, Gaurav Gill of Mahindra Adventure annexed his fifth National title winning the premier class of the MRF Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) 2017 at the MRF 43rd K-1000 Rally, the sixth and final round of the INRC here, about 100 km from Bengaluru, on Sunday. The two-day National Championship round was organised by Karnataka Motor Sports Club (KMSC) under the aegis of Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (fmsci) and is promoted by Ramakrishna Race Performance Management (RRPM) of Kolkata. Incidentally this is also the fifth K1000 title for both Gill and Sherif.
The Chennai round of the INRC was canceled due to inclement weather and the Rally of Arunachal was postponed thereby pushing the K1000 round and the championship in 2018.
The New Delhi based, Gill, a three-time APRC champion underlined his class and control once again, winning all the five Special Stages recording an overall timing of 00:55:41.6 minutes, a 2 minute-45 second lead ahead of second finisher Arjun Rao Aroor, to take his final tally to a perfect 100 points.
Gill, along with co-driver Musa Sherif (110 points), has been unbeaten in the MRF INRC 2017, romping home in each of the four rounds that they had taken part in. He missed Round 4, the Rally of Chikmagalur, as it coincided with his assault on the APRC title, but that didn’t stop him from being crowned the undisputed king in the domestic arena. “It was a perfect day, a perfect finish for us,” Gill said, shortly after his coronation once again. “The first couple of stages were slippery but we managed to handle them well; we controlled the rally thereafter,” he added talking about the controlled aggression he displayed to conquer the fast and speedy terrain which was also tricky due to the pebbles, ditches, and grass. N Leelakrishnan with seven National titles and Naren Kumar with six are the only other drivers who have won INRC more times.
INRC 3 champion Dean Mascarenhas, despite rolling into a ditch in the first run of the Alpha Special Stage and falling behind by over 27 minutes, managed to take the second place in the overall standings by 16 minutes.
Dean (and Shruptha Padival), who entered the sixth and final round with a slim outside chance of upsetting Gill, picked up a puncture in SS2 too but hung on to keep pace with the rest of the field in the remaining stages. But the initial meltdown meant that he finished 8th (3rd in this category) and could add only 4 points to his final tally. It didn’t affect him in this category though, as he had already sealed the INRC 3 trophy in the last round itself.
Defending INRC champion Karna Kadur, however, took advantage of Dean’s bad luck and familiar home conditions to force his way to the third position in the K-1000. It ensured him two podium finishes too, the second place in his INRC 2 category and the third place in the overall Championship.
Arjun Rao finally showed his true class, taking the second place in the rally but he had to be content with a sixth-place finish in the Championship thanks to DNFs in three rounds.
As expected, Rahul Kanthraj and co-driver Vivek Bhat claimed the INRC 2 trophy, despite finishing third (fourth overall) in this category.
The only one who could have upstaged him, Younus Ilyas, pulled out during SS4 to fade out of his Championship battle with Rahul. He eventually had to settle for the third place, with Karna jumping a place to take the second position.
The FMSCI 2WD Cup was taken by Chetan Shivram and Rupesh Kholay, as they posted one more victory here.
Defending K-1000 champion Amittrajit Ghosh, who was hovering in the 3rd to 5th position all the way, crashed at the finish, in the sixth and final stage to take the overall fifth place. His car got completely smashed but he and his co-driver, Ashwin Naik, got away with minor injuries. Ghosh was stuck between the seat and the steering wheel and had to be extricated after an hour or so. He escaped with minor bruises and knees pains. The full medical report is awaited.
INRC Ranking for the National title: INRC Drivers: 1. Gaurav Gill (100 points) & Musa Sherif (110); 2. Dean Mascarenhas (67) & Shruptha Padival (69); 3. Karna Kadur (58) & Nikhil Vittal Pai (58).
INRC 2 Drivers: 1. Rahul Kanthraj & Vivek Y Bhatt (97) 2. Karna Kadur & Nikhil Vittal Pai (75); 3. Younus Ilyas & Harish K.N. (58)
INRC 3 Drivers: 1. Dean Mascarenhas (115) & Shruptha Padival (118); 2. Saddam Ali Sheikh (54) ; 3. Daraius N Shroff (51).
INRC 3 co-drivers: 1. Shruptha Padival (118); 2. Nitin Jacob (54) and 3. Mrinmoy Saha (53)
FMSCI 2WD Cup Drivers: 1. Chetan Shivram (75); 2. Fabid Ahmer (61); 3. Suraj Thomas (48).
FMSCI 2WD Cup Co-Drivers: 1. Rupesh Koley (75); 2. Suraj M (66) and 3. Thomas Paul (33).
K-1000 Provisional Unaudited Results: INRC: 1. Gaurav Gill & Musa Sherif (00:48:14.1); 2. Arjuna Rao & Satish Rajagopal (00:50:18.2); 3. Karna Kadur & Nikhil Pai (00:51:10.3)
INRC 2: Karna Kadur & Nikhil V Pai (00:51:10.3); 2. G.B. Girijashankar Joshy & Chandramouli M (00:52:03.6); 3. Rahul Kanthraj & Vivek Y Bhatt (00:52:54.2)
INRC 3: 1. Vikram Rao Aroor & Somayya (00:52:55.2); 2. Saddam Ali Saikh & Abhijeet Singh (00:56:22.8); 3. Chandan M Gowda & Vinay P.M. (01:03:43.5)
FMSCI 2WD Cup: 1. Chetan Shivram & Rupesh Koley (00:55:19.2); 2. Fabid Ahmer & Sanath G (00:55:35.8); 3. Asad Khan & Gautam C.P. (00:56:08.8).
eom/posted by David Bodapati
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Gill to drive WRC2 for Skoda in 2018: A well-deserved break for the King of Indian Motorsports
Gauvrav Gill in Whangerai, New Zealand. A 2016 file Photo by Anand Philar Bangalore, 20 Jan 2018: Gaurav Gill, the king of Indian Motorsports, finally gets a chance to make his WRC debut. The World Rally Championship has been his dream and the Speed Maestro has done everything to prove himself. “I have been aggressive and have never slowed down in my entire career. But I have matured. I have to support and win things for my sponsors, my supporters. So I will be fastest, but I will try to win something for them. Then I will be winning it for myself too,” the Magic Driver, who weaves his speed around whatever he lays his hands on, said at the K1000 mandatory press conference on Saturday.
Gaurav Gill will be driving WRC2 seven rounds in 2018 for Skoda. The Indian is on a strict regimen to reduce his weight and get fit and “is on the lookout for funding”. I will be announcing the launch and the sponsor at an official event soon, said Gill on the sidelines of K1000 press conference at Century Club in Bangalore today.
“The God’s gift to India as far as speed is concerned. He is a madman. He is no joke. Win or loss does not matter, pedal-to-the-metal is the only mantra,” said a vociferous fan about the Diva of motorsports.
The Delhi based, three-time Asia Pacific Rally Champion is the only Indian at the FIA awards function last year. Having won the APRC title for the third time, Gill was invited for the FIA awards gala. When this correspondent contacted him, Gill modestly replied that he would not be back before Dec 12, where he would be attending a press conference for Skoda. Little did I realise that this is the beginning of the long-dream of World Rally Championship. Last year too it fizzled out despite promising beginnings and talks at Pune.
In 2017 ŠKODA teams not only won the FIA World Rally Championship’s WRC 2 titles but also 14 national plus a number of regional championships. WRC 2 Champion Pontus Tidemand (27), Ole Christian Veiby (21), Juuso Nordgren (21)
and Kalle Rovanperä (17) will be driving the factory team’s ŠKODA FABIA R5 in 2018.When former colleagues, who lost to him are shining, can we keep the giant idle for long, for want of sponsorship?
More than 170 ŠKODA FABIA R5 sold to ŠKODA importers and private teams worldwide.
eom/edited and deleted jumbled matter on 22jan2018/by DB
