WRC: LOEB SNATCHES MONTE CARLO WIN

Sebastien Loeb has come out on top in an epic battle between the two greatest World Rally Championship drivers in recent history.

The Frenchman, who now holds the mantle as the oldest driver to win a WRC round, claimed the first victory of the new era of the championship in a remarkable Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Starting off the final day of the famed event over 20-seconds behind Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier, the M-Sport Ford driver has his work cut out for him with just four stages left to run.

However, a front left puncture for Ogier on the penultimate stage changed the dynamic heading into the final special. The Toyota driver surrendered the lead to Loeb and would start the final stage 9.5-seconds behind his compatriot.

Sebastien Ogier led until a puncture – Image: Red Bull

Ogier was eager to take back the position and pushed hard on the Power Stage. As it turned out the Toyota driver was too eager, jumping the start for which he would be handed a 10-second penalty. Ensuring the final result.

Loeb took the win by 10.5 seconds over Ogier, the first victory for the brand new Ford Puma. Also rejoining Ogier at the top of the Monte-Carlo honour roll with both drivers having eight wins in the iconic event to their credit.

“I didn’t expect so much when I came here,” Loeb admitted. “It was a great fight, Ogier was really fast and I struggled a bit yesterday and even this morning.”

Behind the leading Frenchmen, Irishman Craig Breen put in a solid drive to secure the final spot on the podium. A strong result for the M-Sport Ford squad who now hold the early lead in the manufacturers’ championship.

Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera won the Power Stage to claim fourth overall and take the five bonus championship points.

Gus Greensmith bounced back from engine issues with his M-Sport Ford Puma to claim fifth, ahead of the lead Hyundai of Thierry Neuville who rounded out the leading WRC contenders.

Andreas Mikkelsen took the WRC2 win – Image: Red Bull

Andreas Mikkelsen took the WRC2 win, seventh overall for Skoda. While WRC3 win went to Sami Pajari on his debut in the class.

The championship now heads to Scandinavia for the snow challenge of Rally Sweden on 24 – 27 February.

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