Sebastien Ogier won’t be taking any risks on the final two stages of Rallye Monte-Carlo as he bids to win the rally for the first time as a VW Motorsport driver.
The local hero takes an advantage of 1m 01s into the final two stages that will be run under the cover of darkness tonight and he’s determined not to jeapardise his lead over Bryan Bouffier.
“The target is to control the race and I think we have done quite a good job,” Ogier said. “We don’t need to take any risks.”
Citroen’s Kris Meeke has edged another step closer to securing third place after a brace of second-fastest times on this afternoon’s stages. He added a minute to his advantage over team-mate Mads Ostberg.
“I’ve got a good feeling in the car, everything’s nice and relaxed and it’s comfortable,” the 34-year-old said. “I won’t be fighting for tenths of a second on the final two stages.”
Jari-Matti Latvala continues to hold on to fifth place in his VW Polo, while Mikko Hirvonen’s M-Sport World Rally Team Fiesta is 1m 22s behind in sixth.
The WRC2 leaderboard has taken another dramatic twist this afternoon, with Lorenzo Bertelli moving ahead of Robert Barrable’s Fiesta on SS13. Yurii Protasov enjoys a lead of more than eight minutes at the head of the category.
Gilbert Quentin remains on course for top points in the WRC3 category. The Citroen DS3 RS driver is the sole entrant on the rally.