Ogier extends Monte Carlo Rally lead

Defending world champion Sebastien Ogier appears to be picking up where he left off after extending his lead on day three of the Monte Carlo Rally.

Sebastien Ogier.

Leader and defending champion Sebastian Ogier in his Ford Fiesta during the 2018 Monte Carlo Rally. (AAP)

Five-time rally world champion Sebastien Ogier of France looks set to win the 2018 season opener after extending his lead on the third day of the Monte Carlo Rally.

The M-Sport Ford driver opened a 33.5-second lead over Estonian Ott Tanak (Toyota) with Finn Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) in third place almost a minute off the pace after 13 of the 17 stages.

"That means it's all going to plan. I wanted to be 30 seconds ahead tonight," said Ogier, who was only eighth in Saturday's last stage.

"It was very dirty out there, maybe my tyres were not the perfect choice. I was a bit on the limit."

Ogier joined M-Sport last season after Volkswagen, with whom he won his first four titles, pulled out as part of a strategic shift to help the German carmaker overcome a costly emissions scandal.

Tanak also struggled with the dirt and mud in the 13th stage.

"In the dirty places the tyres were good but in the dry they were overheating a bit," he said.

"It's difficult to have the perfect tyre in this stage."


Share
1 min read
Published 28 January 2018 3:42am
Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends