Toyota sets an exclamation mark at the Monte Carlo Rally shakedown
Toyota sent out a strong first signal at the shakedown of the Rally Monte Carlo. On the 4.25-kilometre test stage near Gap on Wednesday, the Japanese works team finished in the top five places, underlining its role as favorite for the WRC opener.
The best time went to Takamoto Katsuta, who set the fastest lap of the entire three-hour session in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 with a time of 2:31.8 minutes. The Japanese driver thus remained unbeaten. “New season, fresh spirit – I want to do my best and be smarter than last year,” said Katsuta confidently after the shakedown.
He was followed by reigning world champion and ten-time Monte Carlo winner Sébastien Ogier, who was just 1.3 seconds behind in his home race. Ogier, who hails from Gap, was just ahead of Toyota’s newcomer Oliver Solberg. Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari completed the top five.
While Toyota impressed across the board, the opening round was much more difficult for Hyundai. Adrien Fourmaux and former world champion Thierry Neuville were already testing studded tires in view of the snow and ice conditions expected for the weekend. Fourmaux finished ninth, while Neuville was only 14th after problems in his second run. The Belgian had to retire early after an incident.
The fastest driver for the M-Sport Ford team was Josh McErlean, who left his new team colleague Jon Armstrong close behind. Grégoire Munster finished eighth in the additional Puma Rally1.
Lancia ‘s return to rallying also provided a special moment: the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale with Nikolay Gryazin set the fastest time in the Rally2 shakedown.
The shakedown took place in dry conditions, but snow and ice are expected in the coming days. The official start of the Rally Monte Carlo will take place on Thursday afternoon – when the battle for the first WRC points of the new season begins.