The drama at the Monte Carlo Rally ramped up on Saturday as Adrien Fourmaux leapfrogged Elfyn Evans to claim second place, while Sébastien Ogier maintained his control at the top of the leaderboard. As stage conditions became trickier, the competition intensified, delivering yet another thrilling day in the World Rally Championship opener.
Fourmaux Outpaces Evans for Second
Starting the day just 1.6 seconds behind Elfyn Evans, Adrien Fourmaux delivered a masterclass in precision and pace to take the advantage. The pair were inseparable on the day’s opener, recording identical times, but Fourmaux’s consistent pace on the following stages allowed him to edge ahead by 2.8 seconds by midday service.
Evans struggled to find his rhythm, citing unexpected dirtier conditions:
“It’s more complicated than we expected this morning,” Evans admitted, as he conceded the position to his Hyundai rival.
Ogier Steadies the Ship at the Front
Sébastien Ogier, aiming for an unprecedented 10th Monte Carlo Rally victory, remained unflappable despite deteriorating conditions. Ogier strategically dialed back his pace to manage risks but sent a strong message by outpacing Fourmaux by 5.1 seconds on SS12.
“I try to manage the risk, and it’s never easy on Monte Carlo,” Ogier explained, maintaining a 17.2-second lead heading into the afternoon.
Rovanperä and Tänak in Tight Battle for Fourth
Behind the leading trio, Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak waged an intense battle for fourth place. Tänak, demonstrating Hyundai’s raw pace, stormed to an SS11 win by 6.9 seconds, closing the gap to just 1.0 second behind the reigning world champion.
Neuville’s Rollercoaster Recovery Effort
Thierry Neuville, fighting to recover from Friday’s setbacks, endured further misfortune when his Hyundai briefly lost power on SS10, costing him a minute. While a reset resolved the issue, Neuville admitted his frustration:
“No idea, no alarm, nothing. Now it is working,” he said, slipping to eighth overall.
Munster’s Breakthrough Moment
Despite being forced to retire on Friday night with electrical issues, Grégoire Munster returned to action with a vengeance, claiming his maiden WRC stage win on SS10. Taking advantage of his favorable road position, Munster described the milestone as a turning point in his career:
“It’s been many years we’ve been trying to achieve such things, so it’s really nice. If you know you can do it, it changes a lot.”
Key Standings After Day Two
- Sébastien Ogier – Leads by 17.2s
- Adrien Fourmaux – +17.2s
- Elfyn Evans – +20.0s
- Kalle Rovanperä – +1:03.5s
- Ott Tänak – +1:04.5s
- Takamoto Katsuta – +3:02.0s
What’s Next?
With Sunday’s final stages looming, all eyes are on the battle for second between Fourmaux and Evans and the fight for fourth between Rovanperä and Tänak. Ogier, the undisputed king of Monte Carlo, looks poised to secure yet another iconic victory, barring any surprises in the rally’s concluding leg.
The Monte Carlo Rally is delivering everything fans hoped for: high drama, breathtaking battles, and breakout performances. Stay tuned for the grand finale.