[WRC] Rallye Monte Carlo 2024

[denkimi]

tanak and mikkelsen already gambling.

[CeskyOndra]

Interesting tyre choice for Tanak

[CeskyOndra]

There is one icy corner!!

[TypeR]

Ffs Tanak w his tyre gamble again in Monte..

[meh]

In case Tänak feels, that by pure speed they are too far away, it's (so called gambling) a logical choice. And maybe the weather crew (Hannes) or "gravel crew" gave information for making those decisions. Anyway, I think we should comment on it **after** the loop.

[denkimi]

In case Tänak feels, that by pure speed they are too far away, it's a logical choice. And maybe the weather crew (Hannes) or "gravel crew" gave information for making those decisions. Anyway, I think we should comment on it **after** the loop.
gambling on the first real day of the first rally of the year is never a logical choice.

tanak is a hell of a good driver, but truly an idiot when it comes to tactical choices.

[Tauri_J]

Ffs Tanak w his tyre gamble again in Monte..

Gamble? Hardly

[Tauri_J]

Neuville in the wall already

[meh]

gambling on the first real day of the first rally of the year is never a logical choice.

tanak is a hell of a good driver, but truly an idiot when it comes to tactical choices.

I would like to get the facts behind the sentence. For example, I can remember a rally-winning decision to win one rally Germany.

[CeskyOndra]

I thought like 5 seconds that we are gonna end up in the tree

[Tauri_J]

Ott stuck

[CeskyOndra]

Oh nooo

[Tauri_J]

Well Thats not a great start for the year

[Rallyper]

That corner will give a whole lot of mess later on...

[Morte66]

So, standard tarmac rally then.

[denkimi]

I would like to get the facts behind the sentence. For example, I can remember a rally-winning decision to win one rally Germany.
he could have been 4 times champion by now if he hadn't left toyota.

[EstWRC]

Well Thats not a great start for the year

Like I said. Different year same shit

[CeskyOndra]

Is it just me or Toyota has better grip?

[CeskyOndra]

Im surprised by the number of people on the stage

[Tauri_J]

Lol Katsuta a mad man with that speed

[Rallyper]

That corner will give a whole lot of mess later on...

Told ya!

[Rallyper]

Spectators just standing there...?

[CeskyOndra]

Fans really dont know what to do

[meh]

Why are those spectators just watching there? Are they not allowed to push? In Finland this car could not properly even stop before it could be carried out.

[Morte66]

Fans really dont know what to do

Nor the marshals

Edit: good answer in the end... rotate the nose of the car into the ditch, then you're pushing directly out of the ditch, and you can brace against the back of the ditch.

Wonder if there'll be trouble over him not getting his belts on fast enough.

[Rallyper]

Disaster for Katsuta

[EstWRC]

Tänak actually didn’t lose much at all after the off road. The speed is there but now he is on no man’s land with his loss

[PLuto]

Why are those spectators just watching there? Are they not allowed to push? In Finland this car could not properly even stop before it could be carried out.

They are filming with their mobile phones...

[Rallyper]

The Puma livery looks really great.

[meh]

I think those gentlemen in the corner will get proper morning workout. Although guys starting later will not have the corner as a surprise anymore.

[Morte66]

I think those gentlemen in the corner will get proper morning workout. Although guys starting later will not have the corner as a surprise anymore.

It struck me... He who goes first gets the cleanest road. But he also gets to find the slippery bits, live on rally.tv. He who goes later gets to know where the slippery bits are.

I wonder where the optimal place in the order is. Different for every stage, probably.

[Mackie]

What happened to Munster?

[PLuto]

What happened to Munster?

Same corner like others, stuck in ditch.

[CeskyOndra]

They will have info, but If you select bad approach, you are still of the road

[Mackie]

Same corner like others, stuck in ditch.

Yes, I see his pace between split 2 and 3 is like Andreas. So, little damage then.

[er88]

Maybe im wrong but looked like some marshall or police officer was trying to stop the fans from helping Taka initially

[Tauri_J]

Toyota R2 very slow now

[Negaiss]

Solberg on Attack mode ! Great to watch, good video, but probably will break the car - very aggressive !

[EstWRC]

Toyota R2 very slow now

Agreed and I’m surprised about that actually.

Solberg finally woke up!

[linni]

Maybe im wrong but looked like some marshall or police officer was trying to stop the fans from helping Taka initially

That was the moment when Mikkelsen was approaching the same corner.

[Lead]

If Solberg will keep pushing like this, you know whats gonna happen...

[doubled1978]

Nor the marshals

Edit: good answer in the end... rotate the nose of the car into the ditch, then you're pushing directly out of the ditch, and you can brace against the back of the ditch.

Wonder if there'll be trouble over him not getting his belts on fast enough.

It looked like one of the marshals hurt himself falling over on the ice. The camera looking out of the front of Taka’s car caught him fall over.

[CeskyOndra]

Great camera section on SS4

[Tauri_J]

Neuville keeps making mistakes

[Jewy46]

This could turn into a fantastic 3 way battle. Evans, Neuville and Ogier all flying.

Savage entertainment. Personally I think you don't need more top cars if we have tight competition between the ones that are there, especially when they are fast and have such a good noise.
I'm not against Rally2 as top class, but they need to be Rally2+ which could be too soon for next year. Otherwise we should keep Rally1 until Rally2+ is ready.

Just my opinion.

[meh]

So, previously it was problematic, that it was in cruise mode on Sunday to save tires for PS. But now, if you have trouble or a mistake early on Friday, you going to cruise mode for Friday and Saturday to save tires for Sunday.

[EstWRC]

Ogier finally woke up

Also a good one from Tänak. Shame about Thierry’s mistake

[Rallyper]

This could turn into a fantastic 3 way battle. Evans, Neuville and Ogier all flying.

Savage entertainment. Personally I think you don't need more top cars if we have tight competition between the ones that are there, especially when they are fast and have such a good noise.
I'm not against Rally2 as top class, but they need to be Rally2+ which could be too soon for next year. Otherwise we should keep Rally1 until Rally2+ is ready.

Just my opinion.

But very vulnerable competition if one or two drivers retire...

[Tauri_J]

So, previously it was problematic, that it was in cruise mode on Sunday to save tires for PS. But now, if you have trouble or a mistake early on Friday, you going to cruise mode for Friday and Saturday to save tires for Sunday.
But who’s cruising now?

[denkimi]

But who’s cruising now?

katsuta perhaps. no point in pushing when you're 4 minutes behind the previous one.

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240126/78a1dd82834fdf74ebde05239eac0146.jpg

[Mackie]

It seems Mikkelsen is counting on people going off for climbing the leaderboard...

[meh]

It seems Mikkelsen is counting on people going off for climbing the leaderboard...

Yes, he is (a bit too) slow, but I think in this situation is better just to crawl through and not do some heroics and crash out, losing opportunity to test and learn.

[EstWRC]

Fourmaux is driving very nicely so far. Not a bad time on this stage

[er88]

Mikkelsen is lost

[denkimi]

It seems Mikkelsen is counting on people going off for climbing the leaderboard...
that has always been a sensible approach to monte.

but being slower than munster does not make him look like he deserved that wrc1 seat.

[wyler]

last 5 km on the next stage reported icy...

[Mackie]

that has always been a sensible approach to monte.

but being slower than munster does not make him look like he deserved that wrc1 seat.

The danger for him, yes...

[Tauri_J]

katsuta perhaps. no point in pushing when you're 4 minutes behind the previous one.

He was cruising before his crash

[meh]

So, previously it was problematic, that it was in cruise mode on Sunday to save tires for PS. But now, if you have trouble or a mistake early on Friday, you going to cruise mode for Friday and Saturday to save tires for Sunday.

Another "strategy game" I see coming - if you are out of top 10 O/A and just can/want to collect points from Sunday, then there will be competition for collecting penalties to have the best start position for Sunday. (Note: I have not read the rules, maybe there is something against this)

[PLuto]

last 5 km on the next stage reported icy...

This is three hours old info. So question is if it will stay or not.

[Mackie]

He was cruising before his crash

Was he? I mean slower than the top 4, but way quicker than Fourmaux, Munster and Mikkelsen.

[Tauri_J]

Was he? I mean slower than the top 4, but way quicker than Fourmaux, Munster and Mikkelsen.

I wouldnt consider one split enough of data

[meh]

About All-Live: nice coverage of the RC2 field so far.

[er88]

Reiterates the problem with rally1 atm. Tanak in a ditch for 40odd secs. A stage later back to 4th. No jeopardy with such few entries, when munster is a pay driver, katsuta been off, and mikkelsen out for a leisurely sunday drive

[seb_sh]

So, previously it was problematic, that it was in cruise mode on Sunday to save tires for PS. But now, if you have trouble or a mistake early on Friday, you going to cruise mode for Friday and Saturday to save tires for Sunday.

this is another issue with the rule, the problem could simply move to another area

[meh]

The SS3 Icy corner: https://twitter.com/eWRCresults/status/1750820921076535641

[seb_sh]

Another "strategy game" I see coming - if you are out of top 10 O/A and just can/want to collect points from Sunday, then there will be competition for collecting penalties to have the best start position for Sunday. (Note: I have not read the rules, maybe there is something against this)

i think there might be several things the rule makers did not foresee but the teams will be quick to find

[wyler]

Reiterates the problem with rally1 atm. Tanak in a ditch for 40odd secs. A stage later back to 4th. No jeopardy with such few entries, when munster is a pay driver, katsuta been off, and mikkelsen out for a leisurely sunday drive

and who would be much better on a rally1? who would not take 40s to tanak in 4 stages of the current rally2 drivers?

[Lead]

Mikkelsen is lost

Its his first rally in Rally1 car after two day tests and its Monte. I'm sure he will pick up the speed little by little.

[dimviii]

Mikkelsen close call
https://twitter.com/paddocknews/status/1750803017257857377

[seb_sh]

and who would be much better on a rally1? who would not take 40s to tanak in 4 stages of the current rally2 drivers?

tomorrow, nobody, if you give them a couple years to gain experience there could be a couple. remember also Tanak was not like now when he started...

[Rallyper]

The SS3 Icy corner: https://twitter.com/eWRCresults/status/1750820921076535641

Well, it was predicted after first off of Tanak...

[dimviii]

Neuvilles spin
https://twitter.com/paddocknews/status/1750828556865651181

[denkimi]

tomorrow, nobody, if you give them a couple years to gain experience there could be a couple. remember also Tanak was not like now when he started...

That seems to be the big problem nowadays. There are no junior teams, no seat for youngster to grow. Unless your dad is called solberg, the only way to get into a wrc1 is to pay millions to m-sport.

[wyler]

That seems to be the big problem nowadays. There are no junior teams, no seat for youngster to grow. Unless your dad is called solberg, the only way to get into a wrc1 is to pay millions to m-sport.

in a couple of years all team will have to renew their line up and they ll fill the 3rd car with what's best in rally2.

[seb_sh]

in a couple of years all team will have to renew their line up and they ll fill the 3rd car with what's best in rally2.

and meanwhile Rovanpera wins 5 titles and people get bored and switch off

[CeskyOndra]

Neuvilles spin
https://twitter.com/paddocknews/status/1750828556865651181

Strange

[wyler]

and meanwhile Rovanpera wins 5 titles and people get bored and switch off

maybe, at least as bored as from 9 + 8 titles from sebs.

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240126/050fdebd7c6cda41ded9f5e2b1a37ef4.jpg

[meh]

Well, I can see a lot of fans here for "the group B-era spectator festival" with all the fires etc. Personally, I see the negative side to this as well - at the moment everyone are "huge fan" of it, it is advertised and glorified by All-live, and then, if people start doing it in some other rally, stages will be canceled. So it is a bit confusing for me.

[TypeR]

It's interesting that WRC shares all the ,,cool videos and photos'' about that stage.. yet it was the reason for big delay and even possible cancellation of the stage :D

[wyler]

Well, I can see a lot of fans here for "the group B-era spectator festival" with all the fires etc. Personally, I see the negative side to this as well - at the moment everyone are "huge fan" of it, it is advertised and glorified by All-live, and then, if people start doing it in some other rally, stages will be canceled. So it is a bit confusing for me.

in my experience of wrc round seen live on stage, that's not particularly true. i've seen people around the road (in a couple of "famous" sposts) in monte, sardinia and even in germany. and you can find similar footage in mexico, greece, poland. but my experience could be distorted.

[meh]

It's interesting that WRC shares all the ,,cool videos and photos'' about that stage.. yet it was the reason for big delay and even possible cancellation of the stage :D

it was delayed AND later interrupted/cancelled for many crews: https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/84715-rallye-automobile-monte-carlo-2024/?s=431143

[seb_sh]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240126/050fdebd7c6cda41ded9f5e2b1a37ef4.jpg

looks like they went for a barbecue

[Sulland]

Since it is so long time between the drivers gravel crews are allowed to drive through the stage, it schold be possible to put cameraes in one or alle 0 cars, for crews to look at the most current status of the surface?
This has to do with crew safety, and should be important to FIA!

[Rallyper]

Now, let´s follow Evans through the tricky end and no jumping from driver to driver, please!

[linni]

Since it is so long time between the drivers gravel crews are allowed to drive through the stage, it schold be possible to put cameraes in one or alle 0 cars, for crews to look at the most current status of the surface?
This has to do with crew safety, and should be important to FIA!

I am wondering, what is doing there a triple zero car, Toyota Yaris with finnish plates TGR 25? Little extra recon?

[PLuto]

Since it is so long time between the drivers gravel crews are allowed to drive through the stage, it schold be possible to put cameraes in one or alle 0 cars, for crews to look at the most current status of the surface?
This has to do with crew safety, and should be important to FIA!

Why? It was always sense of rallysport to be the best to adapt the conditions. Thats reason why I dont like all live from "sporting perspective", as competitors can watch others and see how the situation is looking.

[Tauri_J]

I am wondering, what is doing there a triple zero car, Toyota Yaris with finnish plates TGR 25? Little extra recon?

Tinfoil hat theory

[EstWRC]

3 vs 2 between Tänak and Neuville the stages so far

[meh]

Crazy split from Ogier, 10sec up at split 3.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Very solid loop by Evans with no mistakes like his main rivals.

[meh]

Ogier is close to crying after the stage end, so there is some mental struggle with personal issues, not just being crumpy or not motivated.

[EstWRC]

What a time by Ogier.

And seems he has some personal issues

[Bartek]

Boss is back. However, his comment at the end... he looked very sad

[Rallyper]

Yeah. Let´s hope he can manage all to the end. Guess he will do.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Emotional Ogier, I hope his family is ok.

[er88]

Good run Fourmaux

[jonkka]

Good run Fourmaux

An excellent run, in fact.

[EstWRC]

What a time by Fourmaux. He also made a lot of time in the sector where Ogier made, both gained 7-9 second there compared to others

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Excellent loop, in fact by Fourmaux. Good pace and no mistakes and with a dirty road and slightly dodgy set up.

[EstWRC]

Tänak moment. 37 seconds lost

https://youtu.be/_gH8yQ0uDqc?si=-dHrcspmOCItWE6R

[Rallyper]

Did they joke about the Toyota Rally2 car is three cylinder engine? Or is it for real?

[meh]

Did they joke about the Toyota Rally2 car is three cylinder engine? Or is it for real?

Real, see https://toyotagazooracing.com/rally2/cars/

"Engine & Transmission" > "Type": In-line three-cylinder, turbocharger

[wyler]

Did they joke about the Toyota Rally2 car is three cylinder engine? Or is it for real?

real!
In-line three-cylinder, turbocharger

https://toyotagazooracing.com/rally2/cars/

[Rallyper]

Real

Three cylinders engine? Really?

I said that first time I saw videos from first tests. But no one did confirm or deny, I reccon.

[EstWRC]

So far the Yaris rally2 hasn’t impressed but ok, only a first rally

[Rallyper]

Three cylinders engine? Really?

I said that first time I saw videos from first tests. But no one did confirm or deny, I reccon.

Because you could hear the strange sound, already then. So what´s on the upside? Less friction oc. Less torque...?

[Walach]

Why? It was always sense of rallysport to be the best to adapt the conditions. Thats reason why I dont like all live from "sporting perspective", as competitors can watch others and see how the situation is looking.

In the past, professional teams had gravel crews and/or plenty of people reporting the conditions on the stages.
now, all live allows level playing field.

[EstWRC]

Lopez and Rossel not far off from Mikkelsen on this stage.

I didn’t expect him to come and win stages but this is too slow IMO

[flat_right]

Lopez and Rossel not far off from Mikkelsen on this stage.

I didn’t expect him to come and win stages but this is too slow IMO

True, but Monte is THE worst rally to come and "be on pace" with rally1 car. It's like Lappi last year... I wrote him off after Monte but he actually did really well after that.

And Lappi had Rally1 experience.

[Eli]

True, but Monte is THE worst rally to come and "be on pace" with rally1 car. It's like Lappi last year... I wrote him off after Monte but he actually did really well after that.

Also bear in mind he hasn't done the Monte since 2019 with the previous i20 Coupe WRC and even then he took off a wheel on the first stage of Saturday. His last tarmac event in a WRC car was back in Germany 2019 and the last event he did with that car was Wales Rally GB 2019. Since 2021 he's only driven R5/Rally2 cars so it's better for him to gain experience for Croatia rather than binning it after just one day.

[denkimi]

True, but Monte is THE worst rally to come and "be on pace" with rally1 car. It's like Lappi last year... I wrote him off after Monte but he actually did really well after that.

And Lappi had Rally1 experience.
A traditional monte with snow perhaps, but the dry surface we have today makes this just another tarmac rally.

[spyros]

So far so good but I am worried about Seb. I dint like him in the past but now i have a lot of respect.

[TWRC]

Because you could hear the strange sound, already then. So what´s on the upside? Less friction oc. Less torque...?

Could be good advert for the road car engine as well. Otherwise, I believe that is the only applicable engine they have for Rally2 rules.

[seb_sh]

Because you could hear the strange sound, already then. So what´s on the upside? Less friction oc. Less torque...?

in this interview Pajari gave some infos about inline 3 engine:
- good torque
- lower weight
- small and position low and back in the car

https://www.youtube.com/live/34b_sPbzP20?si=P3rccfqvIrJQY0DM&t=3426

his interview starts at about 57:00

[er88]

People coming with the excuses for Mikkelsen are all well and good, but remember for his sake/future events that Hyundai have Lappi and Sordo sitting in reserve instead.

Andreas isn't a kid. Only ogier has probably done more events in his career. As Est said above, nobody expecting stage winning pace or consistently in the same ballpark as top3/4, but hes miles off. Outpaced by a rookie msport pay driver. Suninen had decent enough pace in his first events in a rally1, but Hyundai signed mikkelsen to be their tarmac"expert" and ditched any idea of developing a younger driver.

And as far as Monte Carlo rallies go, this is about as kind conditions as you could ask for besides a few hellish corners. He simply will have to up his pace by a lot.

[Jarek Z]

So far the Yaris rally2 hasn’t impressed but ok, only a first rally


Drivers probably need to get used to the new car and don't have much knowledge about setup possibilities:

Lefebvre Stéphane: I have no confidence with the car.
Lefebvre Stéphane: I need to learn the car. After previous stage we have changed the setup, I never drove with it before.

[RS]

Drivers probably need to get used to the car and don't have much knowledge about setup possibilities:

Lefebvre Stéphane: I have no confidence with the car.
Lefebvre Stéphane: I need to learn the car. After previous stage we have changed the setup, I never drove with it before.

Fabia was immediately fast with several drivers last year.

Pajari missed Monte last year though through illness but i expected more from Lefebvre.

[EstWRC]

Mikkelsen close call

https://x.com/paddocknews/status/1750803017257857377?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[Eli]

People coming with the excuses for Mikkelsen are all well and good, but remember for his sake/future events that Hyundai have Lappi and Sordo sitting in reserve instead.

Andreas isn't a kid. Only Ogier has probably done more events in his career. As Est said above, nobody expecting stage winning pace or consistently in the same ballpark as top3/4, but hes miles off. Outpaced by a rookie msport pay driver. Suninen had decent enough pace in his first events in a rally1, but Hyundai signed Mikkelsen to be their tarmac"expert" and ditched any idea of developing a younger driver.

And as far as Monte Carlo rallies go, this is about as kind conditions as you could ask for besides a few hellish corners. He simply will have to up his pace by a lot.

You're right and I also don't understand Hyundai's strategy for the 3rd car this year, they could've used Sordo, who is also slow but he has the experience from last year whilst giving Mikkelsen the gravel events (where he'd also have a better road position). Honestly a weird strategy and I hope they change it as the year goes by.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

People coming with the excuses for Mikkelsen are all well and good, but remember for his sake/future events that Hyundai have Lappi and Sordo sitting in reserve instead.

Andreas isn't a kid. Only ogier has probably done more events in his career. As Est said above, nobody expecting stage winning pace or consistently in the same ballpark as top3/4, but hes miles off. Outpaced by a rookie msport pay driver. Suninen had decent enough pace in his first events in a rally1, but Hyundai signed mikkelsen to be their tarmac"expert" and ditched any idea of developing a younger driver.

And as far as Monte Carlo rallies go, this is about as kind conditions as you could ask for besides a few hellish corners. He simply will have to up his pace by a lot.

I'm just glad he didnt come to M-Sport. I can imagine the almighty slagging you'd be giving him, the car and the team then...

[jonkka]

Andreas isn't a kid. Only ogier has probably done more events in his career.

For WRC events (these figures do not include 2024 Monte):

Sordo 189 WRC starts
Ogier 182 WRC starts
Neuville 155 WRC starts
Tanak 149 WRC starts
Mikkelsen 132 WRC starts

[Eli]

For WRC events (these figures do not include 2024 Monte):

Sordo 189 WRC starts
Ogier 182 WRC starts
Neuville 155 WRC starts
Tanak 149 WRC starts
Mikkelsen 132 WRC starts

And how many of those are in a WRC car? (I’m curious).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ice has melted now.

[jonkka]

And how many of those are in a WRC car? (I’m curious).

Don't know without counting manually.

[er88]

I'm just glad he didnt come to M-Sport. I can imagine the almighty slagging you'd be giving him, the car and the team then...

Malcolm has never, ever rated him otherwise he would've been in the car long ago.

[EstWRC]

Tänak used two super softs on this run compared to others

[seb_sh]

Malcolm has never, ever rated him otherwise he would've been in the car long ago.

He had an offer from MSport for full season this year but he chose Hyundai as he thought there are better future prospects there. He said so in an interview before the season.

[meh]

Tänak used two super softs on this run compared to others

Saving for Sunday I guess, as I predicted before. Without mistakes from top3, he can not catch them by pure speed only. So, if he wants more points, he needs to catch them from Sunday.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hyundai should have had Sordo in the car here and give Mikkelsen more tests and then gravel events.

[Lead]

I dont know if its onboard camera, but you can see Mikkelsen is really struggling with the car.

EDIT: Much better already on 2nd loop. Beating Fourmaux and not far from Katsuta.

[CeskyOndra]

I dont know if its onboard camera, but you can see Mikkelsen is really struggling with the car.

I see, really strange driving through the cuts, big movement with steering wheel

[meh]

SS6 Mikkelsen: "It was better, the feeling is coming. Still a bit on the safe side, I can go a bit faster. But going in the right direction"


Mikkelsen time-loss per km for the fastest:
* SS1 1.57
* SS2 1.43
* SS3 1.64
* SS4 1.10
* SS5 1.65
* SS6 0.83

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sensible words from Fourmaux showing the right attitude and how he's matured.

[denkimi]

What happened to ingram?

[er88]

Fourmaux seems nice and relaxed. Hopefully can keep it up and the car on the road

[EstWRC]

Tanak confirmed that Hyundai has solved the throttle issues he and his team-mates were battling last night.

He also revealed that he is feeling relatively comfortable in the upgraded i20 N on his competitive return with the brand following a year at M-Sport.

"This morning it [the car] has been running smooth," he said.
"It is actually quite comfortable, and I would say I'm 80%. It is driving quite nicely, and I'm relaxed.

"The last part I don't have yet it takes a bit more driving to get and understand the last push."

[Sulland]

I guess Mikkelsen has orders to get to the chessflag, and drive as a libero, to pick up points if others goes off.
He need ss km in the car to understand settings vs behavior and get the car under his skin before pushing 100%.

Lets see where he ends up speedwise when the process is done, if he get close to the top drivers or not.

[Lead]

I see, really strange driving through the cuts, big movement with steering wheel

Its seems he doesnt trust the car yet, and is correcting the lines too much.

[WRCStan]

I guess Mikkelsen has orders to get to the chessflag, and drive as a libero, to pick up points if others goes off.
He need ss km in the car to understand settings vs behavior and get the car under his skin before pushing 100%.

Lets see where he ends up speedwise when the process is done, if he get close to the top drivers or not.

Fourmaux is shining and deservedly so, otherwise Mikkelsen is delivering the insurance.

[PLuto]

What happened to ingram?

Another issues, this time techical glitch in service, left 30 minutes later.

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/neuville-faces-monte-wrc-differential-headache/

Apparently a leakage in his gearbox caused him to change his differential.

[meh]

https://www.ewrc-results.com/video/47746-crashes-big-mistakes-wrc-rallye-monte-carlo-2024/

(sry, if repost)

[EstWRC]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/neuville-faces-monte-wrc-differential-headache/

Apparently a leakage in his gearbox caused him to change his differential.

But it has made him actually faster at the moment

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville in typical fight-back mode this afternoon.

[CeskyOndra]

Neuville in typical fight-back mode this afternoon.

If it continues tomorrow, then we have 3-way battle for the win.

[EstWRC]

Flat out

https://youtu.be/mLX6W8QTJG0?si=Xozbpdnb-WUp6y4n

[SubaruNorway]

Small fire last night after the fireworks, sorry if repost https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGerx5R7f/

[dimviii]

https://twitter.com/SebastienLoeb/status/1750921139935642079

[dimviii]

amazing clip Ogier
https://twitter.com/TGR_WRC/status/1750898482335084632

[focus206]

https://twitter.com/SebastienLoeb/status/1750921139935642079

poor Seb has seen too many rocks already at Dakar :D class act

[meh]

It's dark and Evans starts flying. So he is a bat.. or vampire :)

[Mirek]

Three cylinders engine? Really?

I said that first time I saw videos from first tests. But no one did confirm or deny, I reccon.

Yes, it is three cylinder just like nearly all Rally4 cars. It's just unusual from historical point of view. Technically for a 1.6 litre there is nothing weird about it. Actually the volume of one cylinder is smaller than in a 2 litre I4.

[Mirek]

First stage live for me today and I love it. Fast, bumpy, dirty. What does it remind me? :D

[er88]

Ogier closes on Evans again. Battle on!

[Mirek]

I like the appearance of the Toyotas on stage more than that of Hyundai. I mean the car behavior, not the looks. But that was same last couple of years.

[EstWRC]

Mikkelsen onboards remind me of Gus couple of years back

Car alll over the place

[dimviii]

Gryazin again took the lead

[Mirek]

Puncture or something for Lefebvre.

[EstWRC]

López is the man of the rally so far for me

[Mirek]

Puncture or something for Lefebvre.

EDIT: No brakes.

[dupanton]

Gryazin again took the lead

When Gryazin says the stage is scary, it has to be a difficult stage :p

[WRCStan]

Technically for a 1.6 litre there is nothing weird about it. Actually the volume of one cylinder is smaller than in a 2 litre I4.

:mark: Can you elaborate? My calculator could be broken.

[Mirek]

:mark: Can you elaborate? My calculator could be broken.

My bad, disappearing under the ground... :smash:

Actually it's nearly same :)

[RS]

First stage live for me today and I love it. Fast, bumpy, dirty. What does it remind me? :D

I'm surprised Cais is not here.. he was pretty quick last year.

[Lead]

Mikkelsen onboards remind me of Gus couple of years back

Car alll over the place

It seems the car is handling him, not other way around.

[Mirek]

I'm surprised Cais is not here.. he was pretty quick last year.

No money for WRC I think.

[EstWRC]

https://youtu.be/GUzIITZ3Ycw?si=-occ5GIEWyazNQkH

https://youtu.be/7gNWzUClONE?si=0lblo7MQJc1Cgg2X

[PLuto]

I'm surprised Cais is not here.. he was pretty quick last year.

We were working on the start until last moment, but finally decided not to come (especially when everything become more expensive than last year)...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

An excellent first full day for M-Sport with no car issues and a driver in 5th place on merit (Fourmaux).

[doubled1978]

An excellent first full day for M-Sport with no car issues and a driver in 5th place on merit (Fourmaux).

So far Fourmaux is doing exactly what they would have asked of him. He’s clearly giving everything a margin, not pushing hard and is beating Mikkelsen and Katsuta.
In my opinion, dry (mostly) tarmac is the Puma’s worst surface, you can see the understeer is still present so if he comes away with 5th, I think that’s a good start.

[dimviii]

flat out
https://youtu.be/cnnqfhr-b04

[erikli2]

Gryazin has been given a 1min 50s penalty for being 11 minutes late into TC 8B

[KKS]

Gryazin has been given a 1min 50s penalty for being 11 minutes late into TC 8B
*ceelebrate good times c'mon*

[KKS]

https://youtu.be/GUzIITZ3Ycw?si=-occ5GIEWyazNQkH


Tanak 2020 spot in opposite direction still blindly fast!

[EstWRC]

https://youtu.be/xow6JOFiNco?si=DHvrdeTgCokSIRt2

[KKS]

Gryazin has been given a 1min 50s penalty for being 11 minutes late into TC 8B
And now it's disappeared from ewrc, but stil at wrc timming

[Steve Boyd]

Mikkelsen onboards remind me of Gus couple of years back

Car alll over the place


It seems the car is handling him, not other way around.
Mikkelsen quote after SS7:


"It's going better and better, I'm still adjusting to the speed you can take into the corners. The thing is the downforce, I can still go a lot faster."

It seems he's taking a while to adjust to the difference in grip between Rally2 & current top level cars.

[PLuto]

Gryazin has been given a 1min 50s penalty for being 11 minutes late into TC 8B

Nonsense, mistake by timekeepers. He was using flexi service, he cannot obtain penalty on flexi service in...

[dimviii]

Katsuta ss 3
https://twitter.com/ma_ipp/status/1750833574813540503

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240127/3107541f505419184b7b8db2117939ed.jpg

[TypeR]

Any penalty for that?

Even EV didn't work?

[PLuto]

Any penalty for that?

Even EV didn't work?

No penalty, regulations allows that.

[Tauri_J]

Lol mechanics pushing it and pulling with towing rope

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240127/727d9cd6ef9b60832494cd34f3885a10.jpg

[PLuto]

Unfortunatel no ice today :(

[EstWRC]

I miss so much the old Monte with snow and ice. Seems so wrong second year in a row to watch these dry stages

[PLuto]

Unfortunatel no ice today :(

There is ice :)

[Mirek]

Massive moment for Mikklesen, very lucky.

[Mirek]

They reported technical problems for Tänak leaving the service this morning but it shall be fixed now.

[Kras]

Just like i predicted, with news points system the cruising just shifted from sunday to saturday

[EstWRC]

Tänak slow as snail

[Tauri_J]

Just like i predicted, with news points system the cruising just shifted from sunday to saturday

Lol TOP3 havent even started

[meh]

Whoa, 1st split from Neuville, 8.3 fastest so far (Ogier and Evans to come)

[Tauri_J]

Tänak slow as snail

Nobody to fight

[EstWRC]

Are Thierry’s splits real?

[meh]

Nobody to fight

(edited) Losing to Munster is "a bit too much", but seems to carry engine problems again (like on the 1st day)

[TypeR]

Nobody to fight
Top3 can still have puncture or some other problems.. but atm he is like driving with rally2 car..

[meh]

Nobody to fight

Losing to Munster is "a bit too much"

[Mirek]

Crazy pace from Neuville.

Tänak reporting engine issues.

[EstWRC]

Thierry will almost lead after this stage. Crazy speed

[Kras]

Lol TOP3 havent even started

Talking about everyone below podium saving tyres for tomorrow

[EstWRC]

I just can’t. Tänak having same engine problems as Thursday again

[Mirek]

Talking about everyone below podium saving tyres for tomorrow

Or you just see what you want to see.

[EstWRC]

Hats off to Thierry. Seems he was the only one who really adapted not listened to the gravel crew notes only

Mega time

[CeskyOndra]

Talking about everyone below podium saving tyres for tomorrow

It was always like that, TOP 3 battles and others trying to finish

[Kras]

Or you just see what you want to see.

I predicted what people who lost more than 30-40 seconds on friday will cruise on saturday. We're still to see if top 2-3 from saturday end will cruise a bit on sunday, not to bin it and lose all points

[Tauri_J]

Awesome fight in top3. Pretty sure that they are not cruising. Actually noone cruising right now. Munster was excellent, Formaux took it steady because he didnt trust the conditions, Ott had problems and Taka is being Taka.

[Kras]

Lets wait and see what happens if one of the top 3 gets more than 20 sec gap to the car infront

[Mirek]

Great fight between Citröen and Škoda in the RC2 but Toyota has been a disappointment for me.

[Kras]

Yep Toyota isnt living up to the hype yet

[EstWRC]

Agreed. It’s seems Pretty slow at the moment

[TypeR]

I would say it's not the car, but drivers..

None of them are top3 fast guys.. Pajari is, but on gravel..

[Walach]

To me it seems the car is pretty raw in terms of setup, all the drivers are quite struggling. You could expect that from Pajari and Solans, after all they have 1 Monte start combined, but it feels like Lefebvre should be going much faster, yet he talks about changing the setup for the third time already I believe.

[Eli]

Great fight between Citröen and Škoda in the RC2 but Toyota has been a disappointment for me.

Well they have all season to improve it no? I’m aware they’re limited in jokers but still it’s not like they can’t get better through the year.

[Mirek]

Well they have all season to improve it no? I’m aware they’re limited in jokers but still it’s not like they can’t get better through the year.

Yes but usually quick cars are quick right from the beginning. But for sure we shall be cautios because the Monte is quite an unusual event.

Bouffier on snow tyres. Compteley wrong choice...

[Morte66]

Does anybody know: is there a way we can look up who has used what tyres so far?

I get the impression from the commentary that Evans has been saving soft tyres less than Neuville, so you would expect Neuville to have an advantage later. But that's just from a few words by the commentators. And I've no idea about Ogier or Tanak.

[Rallyper]

Seems Toyota Rally2 car hasn´t got the power... does anyone have data of engine?

Is this one of the biggest disppointments? Remember Pajari saying in the end of 1st stage..."at least, now we know the car is as fast as the others" or smth like that telling what´s been the internal discussion before comparison with Skodas and Citroens...

[EstWRC]

Does anybody know: is there a way we can look up who has used what tyres so far?

I get the impression from the commentary that Evans has been saving soft tyres less than Neuville, so you would expect Neuville to have an advantage later. But that's just from a few words by the commentators. And I've no idea about Ogier or Tanak.

Tänak has saved the most of softs out of them. He used yesterday and Thursday more super softs than others. Evans, Ogier and Neuville have had same tyre choice all the time as far as I remember. Evans has used softs most of them. I think he didn’t use super soft at all during past days

[seb_sh]

Tänak has saved the most of softs out of them. He used yesterday and Thursday more super softs than others. Evans, Ogier and Neuville have had same tyre choice all the time as far as I remember. Evans has used softs most of them. I think he didn’t use super soft at all during past days

maybe Evans is targetting the Saturday points and will sacrifice Sunday.

[meh]

Toyota Rally2 car is not something "everyone can win with it out of the box", but I would not jump into big end declarative conclusions yet.

Pajari is not tarmac specialist, he is not collecting points - the rally is for gaining milage for himself and for the car.

The level with Ralyl2 top4 is so on the limit high, and they are fighting for positions and for every 10th of seconds.

[EstWRC]

Fourmaux not on pace today for some reason

[PLuto]

Fourmaux not on pace today for some reason

He told it. Big gap before him and big gap behind him...

[seb_sh]

He told it. Big gap before him and big gap behind him...

Saturday cruising? :P

[EstWRC]

Fast and Spanish like road on this stage and very even times

[meh]

Saturday cruising? :P

Yes, and lack of competition cruising.

[meh]

Top3 in 5.1 seconds, keep it on the road guys!

edit: and Evans reporting some issues.

[Tauri_J]

Awesome monte for now. Top3 in 5 seconds

[Mirek]

Fast and Spanish like road on this stage and very even times

Evans lost a lot.

[Tauri_J]

Toyota now having issues. So its not only Ford/Hyundai

[EstWRC]

Now it got interesting again!

[Rallyper]

Small issues with the car, according to Evans at the stage end.

[CeskyOndra]

Lets see If Evans will find some pace or Neuville and Ogier will get away

[Tauri_J]

Solberg suspension trouble?

[Mirek]

Puncture for Solberg? Very weirg movements of the car.

EDIT: RL puncture.

[Kras]

Seems Toyota Rally2 car hasn´t got the power... does anyone have data of engine?

Is this one of the biggest disppointments? Remember Pajari saying in the end of 1st stage..."at least, now we know the car is as fast as the others" or smth like that telling what´s been the internal discussion before comparison with Skodas and Citroens...

Could it be that theres a reason noone else is running 3 cylinder engines... It seems like a really poor choice to me

[deephouse]

Evans was good only on first stage. Rossel again beaten by Gryazin.

[Mirek]

Pajari driving slowly as well.

EDIT: RR puncture.

[Morte66]

I was thinking this morning "I can't remember any punctures so far". Which was very weird for a former Meeke fan...

[Morte66]

Pajari driving slowly as well.

EDIT: RR puncture.

I wondered for a moment "Is he even in stage mode?"

But, perfectly sensible to go slow and protect the car, when he's not here for points.

[Integrale]

Big battles for podium in WRC and WRC2.

Ogier and Neuville both took chunks of time in stages where conditions changed since passage gravel crews. Big mental game going on. Loving it so far. I think next stage decides the rally. After that sprint of 3 stages with equal conditions.

[Kras]

I'll never understand what value this Pirelli Super Mario is supposed to bring to the broadcast...

[seb_sh]

I'll never understand what value this Pirelli Super Mario is supposed to bring to the broadcast...

it's value for Pirelli not for the broadcast

[denkimi]

I'm kinda impressed with munster so far. Especially compared to mikkelsen. Let's hope he can keep it on the road.

[Morte66]

I'm kinda impressed with munster so far. Especially compared to mikkelsen. Let's hope he can keep it on the road.

Yes. One wonders how he'd fare against Katsuta in the same car.

[Kras]

Tanak wrenching as usual 🤣

[SubaruNorway]

Some leak on Mikkelsen's car, left front

[Kras]

Great, now rally tv died. Why am I paying for this shit