The second day of the 94th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo delivered everything that has made the world’s most famous rally legendary – snow, ice, mud, fog and an unpredictability that brought some drivers closer to victory while costing others valuable seconds. After the longest leg of the event, two words dominated the competitors’ reactions: respect and caution.
Rally leader Oliver Solberg continued to impress with both his pace and composure. However, even the young Swede admitted that the conditions were extreme.
“There is so much mud in the second part of the stage. I had snow tyres on – my God, it was crazy. I tried to push hard, but there is still a long way to go and a very difficult afternoon ahead of us.”
Despite his impressive advantage after the second day, Monte-Carlo’s history has repeatedly shown that even a lead of more than a minute offers no guarantees.
Evans: “It Has Been a Good Start”
Second-placed Elfyn Evans once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the masters of difficult conditions. The Welshman was satisfied with the opening stages of the rally.
“Overall, it has been a pretty good start. In Monte-Carlo, you can never be sure what is waiting around the next corner. You have to stay focused and avoid mistakes.”
Evans has proven many times that patience and consistency can be just as important as outright speed in Monte-Carlo. The second day of the rally was a perfect example of that.
Ogier: “We Are Just Trying to Stay Out of Trouble”
Nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, the event’s record winner and one of the greatest specialists on Alpine roads, also admitted that this year’s edition has been exceptionally demanding.
“It is very muddy. We are just trying to stay out of trouble. A lot can still happen.”
For the Frenchman, who almost always begins the season fighting for victory in Monte-Carlo, the priority this time was to remain in contention.
Later, reflecting on his performance, Ogier added:
“It has been a difficult weekend. I am simply happy to be back on the podium. Fifteen podium finishes in seventeen starts – I can be proud of that.”
Neuville: “A Clean Run Was the Key”
Thierry Neuville also approached the rally with caution, explaining that the conditions changed almost every kilometre.
“I am happy to be here. We had a clean run. On the downhill sections the road was cleaning up, but when we reached the cleaner asphalt, I struggled with grip.”
His comments perfectly illustrate the unique nature of the Monte-Carlo Rally. During a single loop, crews can encounter three or four different types of surface, making tyre selection a genuine gamble.
Solberg: “The Toughest Rally of My Life”
The most emotional words came from rally leader Oliver Solberg. Despite his outstanding pace, the Swede did not hide how demanding the Alpine roads had been.
“This is the toughest rally of my life. It has been incredibly demanding and very stressful.”
The young driver also paid tribute to his team:
“I still cannot believe what is happening. It is a very emotional moment. I want to thank the entire team for their trust and support. The cooperation has been exceptional.”
Monte-Carlo Proves Its Legend Once Again
The second day of the 94th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo once again reminded everyone why this event is considered the toughest asphalt rally in the world. The drivers were not only fighting against the clock and their rivals, but above all against nature itself.
Snow turning into mud, ice hidden in shaded mountain sections and constantly changing grip levels meant that for many crews the primary objective was simply survival.
And with several more kilometres of legendary Alpine stages still to come, everyone in the service park knew one thing: in Monte-Carlo, nothing is decided until the very last corner.
After two days of competition, one fact was already beyond doubt – the 94th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo had established itself as one of the most demanding and unpredictable editions of recent years.
