Toyota Makes a Statement at the Rallye Monte Carlo Shakedown
Toyota at the shakedown of the Rallye Monte Carlo sent a strong opening signal. On the 4.25-kilometer test stage near Gap, the Japanese factory team took the top five positions on Wednesday, underscoring their favorite role for the season 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 remained undefeated. „New season, fresh mind – I want to give my best and act smarter than last year,“ Katsuta explained confidently after the shakedown.
Behind him followed the reigning world champion and ten-time Monte Carlo winner Sébastien Ogier, who was only 1.3 seconds behind in his home race. Ogier, who comes from Gap, was in turn just ahead of Toyota's newcomer Oliver Solberg. The top five were completed Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari.
While Toyota convinced across the board, the start for Hyundai was significantly more difficult. Adrien Fourmaux and former world champion Thierry Neuville tested studded tires given the snow and ice conditions expected for the weekend. Fourmaux finished ninth, Neuville only 14th after problems in his second run. The Belgian had to end the stage prematurely after an incident.
The fastest driver for the M-Sport Ford team was Josh McErlean, who his new teammate Jon Armstrong left just behind him. Grégoire Munster finished eighth in the additional Puma Rally1.
The return of... also made for a special moment. Lancia into rally sport: In the Rally2 shakedown, the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale with Nikolay Gryazin the best time.
The shakedown took place in dry conditions, but snow and ice are expected in the coming days. The official start of the Rallye Monte Carlo is on Thursday afternoon – then the battle for the first World Championship points of the new season begins.