Sébastien Ogier is holding strong as the leader of the Rally Monte-Carlo 2025, with just one day left to race for the coveted victory. After the 15th special stage, which concluded on Saturday evening, Ogier had managed to secure his position at the top, boasting an impressive lead of 20 seconds over his teammate Elfyn Evans. With the rally gripping the attention of motorsport fans, all eyes were on the final stages, where the competition remained fierce.
The 93rd edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally, taking place from January 22 to January 26, 2025, marks the opening event of the World Rally Championship (WRC) season. Known for its challenging routes through the French Alpes, the rally proved to be as tumultuous as ever, delivering unexpected twists and dynamic racing conditions.
Ogier, driving for Toyota, remarked on the positive vibes of the previous day, saying, "C'était une journée positive" (It was a positive day). His consistent performance since Friday afternoon helped him maintain the lead, much to the approval of the energetic crowd supporting the local star. Yet, he remained cautionary about the dangers of complacency, stating, "Les écarts évoluent mais très faiblement, on ne peut pas les considérer comme confortables sur un rallye comme celui-ci" (The gaps are changing, but very slowly, we can't see them as comfortable on such a rally). His experience as an eight-time world champion shone through as he focused on prudent driving, avoiding aggressive risks.
Behind Ogier, the competition was heating up significantly. Elfyn Evans, who was trailing Ogier's lead, reflected the challenges faced by the drivers, with only five seconds separating him from Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai, who was placing third after the weekend’s key stages. Fourmaux commented, "La situation n'est pas catastrophique, Elfyn n'est qu'à cinq secondes" (The situation isn't catastrophic, Elfyn is just five seconds behind), indicating the pressure he felt to maintain his position amid such close competition.
Adding to the drama of the final stages was Ott Tänak, another Hyundai driver. Having shown significant improvement on Saturday, his impressive three stage wins brought him closer to the leaders, bringing the gap down to just 2.5 seconds from Fourmaux. With only three special stages still to run, it’s clear the competition for the podium locked all participants in. The upcoming Power Stage on the legendary Col du Turini provides the perfect backdrop for what promises to be an exciting finish.
Thierry Neuville, last year's winner and champion, unfortunately found himself out of the race for the top positions after grappling with multiple setbacks, placing eighth, more than five minutes behind Ogier. After experiencing issues like going off-road and dealing with tire punctures, Neuville expressed frustration about his performance throughout the rally. "C'est trop tôt pour y penser" (It's too early to think about it), noted Ogier, pondering on the challenges still yet to come as the weather seemed uncertain for the final day’s drive.
The stage is set for Sunday, January 26th, with three special stages featuring total timed distances just over 51 kilometers. The first stage kicks off early at 6:39 AM, and teams will have to adopt flexible strategies as they adjust their tire choices to changing conditions. The final chance for teams to garner points includes the newly introduced bonus points system, which rewards the top five finishers with additional points aside from the traditional ones received for the overall standings.
Expectations are high as Ogier seeks to claim his tenth Monte-Carlo victory – a milestone should he hold onto his lead until the final stage. This historical narrative coupled with the unpredictability of the rally’s terrain and weather promises to keep fans at the edge of their seats, awaiting the concluding festivities of one of motorsport’s most revered events.
All eyes will be on the iconic Col du Turini and how the final configuration of teams plays out across the legendary Alpine route. Given the fierce competition and the fluctuative weather, the final day of the Monte-Carlo rally will be nothing short of exhilarating.