A record ninth Monte Carlo Rally win, all of them scored over an expanse of three decades for five different car manufacturers. Yes, eight-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier sure does have a claim to rival Sébastien Loeb as the special stages greatest of all time. It's just a pity that he's not bothered about equalling Loeb's record of nine world titles, because the WRC would be all the better for it if he were.
For the second year in succession, Ogier has committed only to a partial WRC campaign with Toyota Gazoo Racing, which once again robs the series - and us - of what would be a potentially eradefining duel between the Frenchman and new world champion Kalle Rovanperä.
As the Monte highlighted, the battle would most likely swing from rally to rally, and it would be impossible to call which way it would fall. The old master versus the 22-year-old new prodigy, in the same GR Yaris Rallyl but separated by 17 years in age? It's just what the WRC needs to draw much-needed attention. Instead, we will just have to savour the rivalry as and when Ogier turns up to remind us that he's still a force at 39.
OGIER'S MONTE MAGIC
Ogier's victory on the event he has made his own was never really in doubt as the new WRC season kicked off. He built a lead over Rovanperä of more than 30 seconds on the opening leg, before the Finn reduced that to just 16sec with a Saturday charge. But Ogier is too long in the tooth to bend to such pressure and there was no late puncture this time to thwart the big number nine, as was the case last year. Ogier's winning margin at the end of play was a comfortable 18.8sec, as Toyota celebrated a dominant one-two.
While it was sweet for Ogier, it was even more so for his new co-driver, Vincent Landais, for whom this was a first WRC win.
This story is from the February 01, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 01, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MCLAREN ARTURA
Finally, sunshine after the rain - but not before some of it got inside our supercar
AUDI S3 SALOON
Warmed-up version of A3 sets out stall with more power and RS3-spec driveline tech
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE CABRIOLET
Convertible follows coupé to complete newly consolidated two-door range
AUDI A3 SPORTBACK
Four years later, Audi moves to address criticisms of its swanky family hatchback
PORSCHE MACAN ELECTRIC
New platform, different motive power, more weight: can the electric version really behave like a Macan should?
DACIA DUSTER
With a more sophisticated platform, design-savvy look and fresh tech, has this all-new version lost sight of the model's value appeal?
Car clubs at mercy of insurers
Soaring insurance costs now pose an 'existential threat' to community car sharing
Vauxhall reinvents the Grandland
New version is bigger, sleeker and available as a 435-mile EV, mild hybrid and PHEV
Volvo on the cusp of a production revolution
Radical new mega-casting production method will cut complexity while boosting flexibility
Alfa to politicians: forget car names and save industry
Boss Imparato speaks out after minister compels Milano rebrand