Sébastien Ogier hit hard with Toyota by clinching his ninth victory in the Monte-Carlo Rally this weekend, kicking off the 2023 WRC season. He is now one step ahead of Sébastien Loeb!
As tradition dictates, the Monte Carlo Rally rang the three bells 2023 World Rally Championship. A first test which smiled on Sebastien Ogier.
A new success for the Frenchman
It is with determination thatOgier guided Toyota and their first victory of the season. From the start of the race, theeight-time WRC world champion was leading and controlling his advantage.
Avoiding reckless risk-taking, and a possible puncture who had offered the victory to Loeb in 2022, he pocketed the victory in front of the Finn Kalle Ronvanpera (+ 18.8 seconds) and Thierry Neuville (+44.6 seconds).
” It is enormous. I love this rally! exclaimed Ogier when he gets out of the car. “He’s the one who gave me the dream from the start and I’m so happy for Vincent [son co-pilote, ndlr.]
“For me it’s nice, but for him it’s a dream to win his first victory. We still need to enjoy these moments and that’s why we’re still here [en WRC]. Winning a victory as famous as Monte is priceless. »
🗣️ The first impressions of the nine-time winner of the #RallyMonteCarlo 🎙️✨
🗣️ First impressions of the 9-times #RallyMonteCarlo winner 🎙️✨ pic.twitter.com/eKC0C5rwuM
— Automobile Club MC (@ACM_Media) January 23, 2023
Ogier sole record holder at Monte-Carlo
This victory, the ninthleaves Ogier alone in the firmament of winners of the famous winter loop, ahead of his greatest rival Sebastien Loeb. Since 2014, in his time with volkswagenthe Toyota driver had chained five rank achievements until Neuville interrupts his reign in 2020.
If Toyota dominated the Ride 2023 with a resounding doubledthe weekend was not easy for hyundai. spanish Dani Sordo was particularly handicapped by the hybrid system of his Hyundai i20 and could not do better than seventh.
“We had a lot of problems with the hybrid but I’m sure the guys did everything they could to give me the best car. I’m disappointed to have these small problems but I’m sure it won’t happen again”, said Sordo.
Next meeting of WRC 2023 from February 9 to 12 with the Sweden Rally.
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CHAMPAAAAAAAGNE!! 🍾🍾🍾#RallyMonteCarlo #WRC pic.twitter.com/1prtMxoaQC
— Automobile Club MC (@ACM_Media) January 22, 2023
