The Monte Carlo Rally has inspired many a driver over the years, but perhaps none more so than Sebastien Ogier, who can now call himself the undisputed Monte master after dominating the 2023 World Rally Championship opener.
The 91st running of arguably rallying’s most prestigious event provided the backdrop for the start of Kalle Rovanpera’s title defence. This year has been billed as perhaps one of the closest title fights now that Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport boast either world champions or rally winners in their ranks following a wild silly season triggered by Ott Tanak’s move from Hyundai to M-Sport. That may still be the case but, when it comes to tackling Monte Carlo’s hallowed ribbon of relentless mountain hairpins that overlook the principality famous for its casino, betting on Ogier to stand on the podium is as close to a sure thing as you can get.
Odds on the Frenchman adding a record ninth trophy to his glittering record were short, and the semi-retired 39-year-old once again outlined that experience is still worth its weight in gold when it comes to mastering the Monte. Twelve months on from the heartache of a penultimate-stage puncture that handed a fairytale Monte win to fellow Alpine master Sebastien Loeb – absent from this year’s entry list – a fired-up Ogier swept all aside to become the most successful driver in the event’s storied history.
In truth, Ogier’s run to a record
