The Monte Carlo Rally 2021 didn’t fall short of surprises and make history, as Ogier won his 50th World Rally Championship on home ground.
Sebastien Ogier won his 8th win at the Monte Carlo Rally, effectively breaking the record set by his arch-rival and countryman Sebastien Loeb (7 Monte Carlo wins). Moreover, Ogier also got even with Walter Rorhl by winning the WRC’s blue riband event with four different manufacturers in his career.
The Toyota Yaris Gazoo Racing team asserted its domination, clinching the first two spots at the Monte Carlo rally, with British driver Elfyn Evans finishing 32.6 seconds behind Ogier. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s Belgian driver Theirry Neuville finished third.
The Monte Carlo Rally is one of the most famous motorsport events worldwide and undoubtedly one of the most challenging. Its history and heritage stretching back to more than a hundred years, with competitors headed to the principality from faraway starting points. The dynamic has changed over time as all roads lead to the finale at Monte Carlo.
Monte Carlo, being one of the most unpredictable WRC courses, with Mother Nature wreaking havoc at a moment’s notice through rains, mud, snow, ice, and the occasional blue skies and sunshine, makes the pre-event testing more important and challenging than in any other motorsport. The testing lasts for several days in different conditions, as the crews try to prepare for every eventuality. It’s not just the ride setup that gives an edge on this challenging racecourse, but also the strategy for tackling different weather conditions. Intriguingly, the demands for precision falls not on the driver but on the co-driver, a crucial part of the challenge.
Alongside co-driver Julien Ingrassia, Ogier won 3 out of the 4 stages, including the wolf power stage that provides bonus points for drivers and manufacturers. It was a moment of great celebrations at the Toyota tent as the Japanese manufacturer finally won the Monte Carlo after a 23 years wait.
It remains to be seen whether Ogier’s 8th win will be his final stint at the Monte Carlo Rally or whether it will motivate him to rethink and rewrite history with more formidable wins in the coming years.
