Hyundai with Neuville-Gilsoul conquer the Monte-Carlo Rally. Beautiful challenge with Ogier and Evans, both Toyota drivers, who close the podium after four days of challenge on the brink of seconds
by Giulia Paganoni
(Hyundai Motorsport GmbH / Austral)
3 ‘of reading
Four rounds of competition and over 300 kilometers of special stages where ice, snow and mud were always ready to undermine the crews. Neuville-Gilsoul (Hyundai) victory followed by teammates Ogier-Ingrassia and Evans-Martin (Toyota). To remember the bad accident of the reigning world champion, Tänak-Järveoja, on Hyundai i20 Wrc which has perfectly cushioned the blows emphasizing the safety of these cars.
Snow, ice and mud protagonists A very insidious rally for the road conditions which, given the rising temperatures, in addition to snow and ice, one of the risk factors was also mud. For this, the role of the scouts was fundamental, that is, those crews who pass before the closure of the road to view the conditions of the moment and, where required, make changes to the notes that the co-driver will dictate to the driver.
Thursday: first day of race Thursday evening everyone tuned to see the first results of the two special stages, where in the first Ogier he set the best time with his Toyota. While on the second Neuville it is worth giving even 25.5 seconds to the pursuer Ogier. The first day therefore ended with the magnificent three still battling, respectively: Neuville, Ogier and Tänak.
Friday: the accident of Tänak On Friday, the most demanding with 122.48 km timed, Evans showed off that with the Toyota Yaris Wrc recorded the best time also going to recover important positions in the absolute classification, where he took second by receding Ogier and Tänak. The latter, just in special stage four, was the protagonist of a very bad accident whose images are truly impressive. Fortunately, the crew remained unharmed, thanks to the excellent safety equipment and resistant cell of the Hyundai i20 Wrc.
Test number four was won again by Evans who seems to have found a really good feeling with his Toyota Yaris Wrc. Behind him, his teammate, Ogier, and Neuville. Same result that was proposed in the fifth. After the assistance at Gap, the second lap of the three tests, these three drivers have always competed for the virtual podium, reaching the end of the stage in order: Ogier, Evans, Neuville.