The 89th version of the Monte-Carlo Rally is simply across the nook. With only some days to go, we’re taking a better have a look at 5 of the perfect drivers to have ever raced Monaco’s legendary course. Between them, two Sébastiens (Ogier and Loeb), Tommi Mäkinen, Walter Röhrl and Carlos Sainz have claimed victory 25 instances within the Principality.
Sébastien Ogier (France), 7 time Monte-Carlo Rally champion
Again and again Sébastien Ogier is in contrast with Sébastien Loeb; Some even go so far as to say the Gapençais rider isn’t really a seven time champion of this legendary rally. Driving a Peugeot 207 S2000, Ogier got here out on high the very first time he raced the course in 2009. Again then, the Monte-Carlo Rally was a part of the European Rally Championship (ERC) calendar. Nevertheless, immediately it makes up the World Rally Championship (WRC). Herein lies the controversy of his success. However, the course itself stays unchanged. Ogier is a grasp of those roads. He is aware of them by coronary heart and it exhibits. Six of his world championship victories have been consecutive, from 2014-2019. Within the close to future, he might even earn the accolade of getting received the Monte-Carlo Rally behind the wheel of 4 totally different carmakers.
Sébastien Loeb (France), 7 time Monte-Carlo Rally champion
Till the looks of Sébastien Ogier, his title as grasp rider went uncontested for years. Seven time rally champion between 2003-2013, the Alsatian-born driver has positively made his mark in Monaco’s historical past. Driving the Citroen Xsara, C4 and DS3, the nine-time world rally champion has claimed virtually all of the victories available within the final 10 years. Marcus Grönholm (2006) has been his solely constant rival. He beat Loeb to victory in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The 2012 win was an in depth name and Loeb didn’t take part within the race. Sébastien Loeb won’t compete within the notorious Monacan rally this 12 months.
Tommi Mäkinen (Finland), 4 time Monte-Carlo Rally champion
Tommi Mäkinen is taken into account as one of many first “Flying Finns” of the trendy day. Different Flying Finns (well-known End drivers recognized for his or her unbelievable velocity in WRC) embrace Ari Vatanen, Timo Mäkinen and Pauli Toivonen. Born in Puuppola, Mäkinen has claimed victory 4 instances in Monaco, with three of those wins occurring consecutively between 1999-2002. He takes dangers and tears up the monitor together with his excessive speeds. Because the twentieth century drew to an in depth, this 4 time world rally champion (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) ,The Flying Finn, had been the main driver. Nevertheless, within the decade that adopted, Sébastien Loeb got here to dominate the world rallying scene.
Walter Röhrl (Germany), 4 time Monte-Carlo Rally champion
Double world rally champion. The German is the primary, and to this point solely, driver to have claimed the Monte-Carlo title behind the wheel of 4 totally different carmakers. He drove to victory in a distinct automobile each time! The next fashions noticed Walter Röhrl snatch victory from his rivals: Fiat 131 Abarth, Opel Ascona 400 and the Lancia Rally 037.
To me, a win in Monaco was a lot greater than a world title
Carlos Sainz (Spain), three time Monte-Carlo Rally champion
The youthful era little doubt know him for his loopy off-road efficiency in Dakar, Africa, South America and now Saudi Arabia. Earlier than reigning thrice supreme in rally raid (2010, 2018, 2020), a type of cross nation rallying, he had nice success on the legendary course in Monte-Carlo.
The daddy to Method 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) is a two time world rally champion (1990, 1992). The Spaniard has dominated the course in Monaco thrice (1991, 1995, 1998). Two wins had been with Toyato whereas driving the Celica GT-4 ST165 and the Corolla WRC. The third with Subaru, driving the Impreza 555. Final 12 months, WRC topped him the best rally driver of all time. Sébastien Loeb got here simply behind in second place. It’s clear to see why Carlos Sainz deserves a spot on this rating.
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