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Ogier makes Rallye Monte-Carlo history

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 28 January 2025

Sebastien Ogier returned to the FIA World Rally Championship to grow his record at the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Back in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, Ogier beat teammate Elfyn Evans by 18.5s to secure a record extending 10th victory at the famous season opener where the new control tyres of Hankook were seen for the first time.

The Frenchman is the first driver to win 10 times, with the next best Sebastien Loeb with eight.

Ogier’s first Rallye Monte-Carlo triumph was back in 2009 and started the 2025 edition like a pro, winning the first two stages.

The Frenchman was emotional after the success, being unsure whether it would be his last.

“What a weekend,” reflected Ogier.

“I don’t know where to start, what a weekend. I think I have had my lucky star with me this weekend – my uncle, who we lost one year ago. 

“I am sure he was bringing me everything and this one is for him. I have no idea if it is my last (Rallye Monte-Carlo) now. It would be a good place to stop.

“I just want to enjoy this moment in this incredible series. I will obviously do some more rallying this season in WRC but I don’t know about next year.

“I don’t want to make any plans and of course, if I am able to stay at this same level it is a shame to stop. On the other hand I’m closer to the end (of my career) than the start.

“I repeat this story often but Monte Carlo has always been the one event that gave me the dream to be a rally driver one day.

“Since I was a kid I was watching it and it started in 2009 here winning my first attempt and back then it really felt like a dream come true. But now it is 10 times I have come here and picked up the big trophy, I’m still as happy as 2009.”

Sebastien Ogier and Vincent Landais flying around the Monte-Carlo scenery. Image: aanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool

Despite a strong start, Ogier made an error on the third and final stage of the opening day and lost the lead Thierry Neuville.

But a hectic Friday morning saw the rally turn again as incidents ended the campaigns of Hyundai hopefuls Neuville and Ott Tanak.

Evans managed to survive on the icy roads and at the midway service he held a narrow 1.5s lead over Ogier.

However, then Evans was the next to crack, having a half spin in the afternoon, which surrendered the lead back to Ogier.

The Frenchman then used his experience to pull a 20s lead on the penultimate Saturday where Tanak dominated, taking a hat-trick of stages.

The Hyundai driver set up an exciting fight for best of the rest with Evans, Adrien Fourmaux and Tanak only separated by 6.7s.

The rally was set for a final day sprint on the icy roads and Fourmaux’s gamble of four slicks and two snows appeared to pay off in the Power Stage.

But Evans responded to beat the Hyundai driver by 3.5s, only for both of them to be edged by Ogier, on snows, by 0.3s.

Up next is the snow of Sweden on February 13-17.

Main image: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool

Rallye Monte-Carlo results

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