There are now less than ten days until the start of the World Rally Championship, which begins with the Monte Carlo Rally. There was already a lot of training in the Maritime Alps earlier.
The famous mother of all conferences will be held for the 93rd time from January 23 to 26.
On the way to “Monte”, the test teams went to the French Alps to gain valuable experience with standard tires from Hankook, which were used for the first time this year. In addition, after the ban on hybrid performance, teams have to learn to understand the new Rally1 cars. For cost reasons, FIA rally regulations only allow a total of 21 test days in a season for teams. This meant that testing could only be done with short-term operations – also to the dismay of some drivers and decision-makers.
After the WRC final in Japan in December, a short winter break left just over a month to prepare for the WRC season opener. Due to the fact that new tires can only be used late, the current test drives have taken on a very special importance. As much knowledge as possible should be produced.
Toyota went out for a day’s testing with four drivers, as did the Hyundai team with three drivers. Various track conditions were simulated during test drives. Key values for the different configuration settings and tire management were provided, which will be useful for various Monte special stages.
Last year’s Monte winner and world champion Thierry Neuville drove for Hyundai on snow tracks last week, with teammate Ott Tänak on wet tracks and newcomer Adrien Fourmaux mainly on dry roads.
they were on their way.
Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä was first to line up for Toyota ahead of the 24-hour race in Dubai. Elfin Evans ended his test day early when he went off the track. WRC2 champion Sami Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta drove further tests.
M-Sport Ford will only start the Monte test program next weekend with Grégoire Munster and its new player.
Josh McErlean in attack.
