We took to video to check out the rally here, and our preview was here.
The full results of the rally can be found here.
Volkswagen
#WRC @SebOgier wins Rallye Monte Carlo [PHOTO] by @TimoAnis pic.twitter.com/RPACkxBeaG
— BILLIOT Jérémie (@planetemarcus) January 19, 2014
Sebastien Ogier: “What a perfect start to the season! The team did a fantastic job. I am overjoyed. It is an amazing feeling to win the Rally Monte Carlo in these difficult conditions. I really wanted to win my home rally here. I will celebrate the win appropriately – with my family, my girlfriend and the entire Volkswagen team.”
Our View: An incredible victory for Ogier who certainly is the successor for Loeb. We risk another domination from him as after this rally it certainly seems he is a step above two very, very good teammates in Latvala and Mikkleson. I guess we will see if it is to change at a more predictable rally.
Bryan Bouffier
Bouffier realises dream with second on Monte http://t.co/bH0jgiHnfe #WRC pic.twitter.com/I6HUVr58zJ — Crash.Net (@CRASH_NET) January 19, 2014
Bryan Bouffier: “I have to say that before the start of the rally, it was my dream to finish on the podium. To have actually achieved it is a fantastic feeling and truly surpassed my expectations.” “It was a pleasure to battle for the lead. On some stages we really pushed and it was great to see that our pace was strong enough to challenge.”
Our View: An absolute talent on tarmac and in changeable conditions. The Hyundai tester deserves a manufacturer spot, at least on tarmac. Will be interesting to see if he gets other WRC outings this year.
Citroen
Col de Turini by Col de McKlein. Big thanks to @rallytravel (Neil, Mark & Richard) #WRC @krismeeke: pic.twitter.com/XDWUhNCxJy — Colin McMaster (@colmcklein) January 18, 2014
Kris Meeke: “I’ve never witnessed conditions like these at a rally. It was incredibly difficult, but we achieved our goal. I had a very good feeling in the Citroën DS3 WRC. Monte-Carlo is always a tough rally. It’s not really a tarmac rally and it’s a snow rally either. It’s got a bit of everything! I’m very pleased for those who put their faith in me. It’s really nice to be able to pay back the team for their support with this result.”
Our View: A better start than we thought they’d have and it will be key to see if they can get their two drivers to the point that they can challenge Ogier. It was great to see Meeke take a podium – the first Brit to do so since Burns, on the weekend that would have been his 43rd birthday.
M-Sport
He’s a bit special, @ElfynEvans. Excellent performance on #WRC Monte in the fog & rain. Just like home @DovenbyHall pic.twitter.com/r5KXGzaARR
— Colin McMaster (@colmcklein) January 17, 2014
Elfin Evans “I’m absolutely delighted to have made it to the finish in such a strong position. Obviously it is very disappointing for Mikko [Hirvonen], he and Jarmo [Lehtinen, co-driver] helped us a lot this weekend and sixth place should have gone to them.
“We managed to keep our noses clean all event – no moments, no dramas, no big slides. To drive round a tricky event like this, like we did, it is a big achievement for us and it fulfils everything we wanted from the weekend.”
Our View: A tough weekend for M-Sport. Outpaced by two non-manufacturer entries, Hirvonen lost time hand over fist, mostly due to tyre issues and an aversion to slippery tarmac. Evans though was impressive and has a bright future if his run to 6th is clue.
Hyundai
WRC: Live coverage from day three of the Monte Carlo rally is starting now on BT Sport 2. #WRC pic.twitter.com/PExRtHm4NX — BT Sport (@btsport) January 18, 2014
Michel Nandan: “To lose one car after seven kilometres and to have the other retire on a road section was bad. It meant we couldn’t do many kilometres and get a lot more experience.
“But we have to see the positive things. I think we have a good car that is not too far away from some good results. If we were two seconds per kilometer off the other cars it would be a disaster. But that’s not the case. I think our guys have done a great job to get our cars ready in time and I think the team has worked in a professional way.”
Our View: Impossible to tell with both cars out on day 1. Hopefully they will last the distance in Sweden. Sordo was sitting in the top 3 which was a nice indicator.
Robert Kubica
Sport picture of the day: Monte Carlo or bust for Robert Kubica http://t.co/Sx4LxerFRR pic.twitter.com/Ch0YSN5WWV
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) January 17, 2014
Robert Kubica: “There was a sudden change of grip. We knew to be cautious because we had it marked in our pacenotes from the ice note crew, but unfortunately I misjudged how big the change would be. Just before [the incident] the grip was really good, but there was also a lot of mud on the stage. We went into the corner, the front went straight, we hit a bridge and unfortunately that was the end of our rally.”
Our View: Tremendously fast, winning the first two stages. If he can control his pace, he may cause a surprise or two and grab a victory. No one doubts his talent and the fact he is here after his crash a few years ago is testament to his commitment, passion and pace. We hope this is a sign of things to come.
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