Sébastien Ogier topped the timesheets at the morning’s shakedown ahead of the start of the Monte Carlo Rally this evening.
The margins were small after three runs of the 2.29-kilometre-long shakedown stage. Sébastien Ogier, an eight-time winner in Monaco, set the fastest time with a 1:44.6.
Defending world champion Kalle Rovanperä was the fastest driver after two runs but ended three tenths behind Ogier despite improving his time in his third and final run.
Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville was third fastest, just a tenth behind Rovanperä and a tenth ahead of Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
Dani Sordo, a three-time podium finisher in Monte Carlo, set the fifth fastest time, a further 0.4s adrift of Evans.
The M-Sport Fords occupied the sixth and seventh place with Loubet completing the stage two tenths behind Sordo. Ott Tänak ended shakedown 0.4s behind his French team-mate. New Hyundai recruit Esapekka Lappi was eighth, 2.4s behind Ogier’s leading time and half a second ahead of Takamoto Katsuta who couldn’t improve in his final run.
The Monte Carlo Rally starts this evening with two special stages running in the dark. SS1 starts at 20:05 local time.
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WRC Rallye Monte Carlo 2023 – Shakedown results
| # | Drivers | Car | Time / Diff. to 1st |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ogier / Landais | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | 1:44.6 |
| 2. | Rovanperä / Halttunen | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +0.3 |
| 3. | Neuville / Wydaeghe | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 | +0.4 |
| 4. | Evans / Martin | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +0.5 |
| 5. | Sordo / Carrera | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 | +0.9 |
| 6. | Loubet / Gilsoul | Ford Puma Rally1 | +1.1 |
| 7. | Tänak / Järveoja | Ford Puma Rally1 | +1.5 |
| 8. | Lappi / Ferm | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 | +2.4 |
| 9. | Katsuta / Johnston | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +2.9 |
| 10. | Serderidis / Miclotte | Ford Puma Rally1 | +12.5 |
Photo: Toyota Gazoo Racing