Oliver Solberg is on the verge of history at the WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo after a day of extreme survival. The young Swede navigated snow-covered Alpine passes and rain-soaked Monaco streets to maintain his lead. He currently holds a significant gap over his closest rivals heading into the final stages.
Oliver Solberg Survives Alpine Scare
The morning session nearly ended in disaster for the leading Toyota driver on the second pass of La Bréole. Solberg hit a patch of hidden snow and slid through a fence into an open field. He managed to rejoin the road quickly without losing any significant time to his pursuers.
Record Pace in the French Alps
Remarkably, the 24-year-old driver still set the fastest time despite his brief excursion into the snowy grass. This performance keeps him on track to become the youngest winner in the history of this event. He currently sits 59.3 seconds ahead of teammate Elfyn Evans in the overall standings.
The Return to Monaco Harbour
Saturday concluded with a historic super special stage held on the famous streets of the Monaco Principality. Fans gathered along the harbour to watch the hybrid machines tackle the wet Grand Prix circuit. This marked the first time the championship utilized these streets for competition since 2008.
Battle for the Remaining Podium Spots
Elfyn Evans remains in a strong second place after showing consistent pace throughout the difficult afternoon loops. He holds a 26-second advantage over ten-time winner Sébastien Ogier, who chose a safer strategy today. The French veteran preferred caution as mountain snow turned into slippery slush and mud.
Trouble for Hyundai and M-Sport
Adrien Fourmaux leads the Hyundai charge in fourth place while managing difficult grip levels in the changing weather. Thierry Neuville sits in fifth position following a costly spin that hindered his progress earlier today. Meanwhile, Jon Armstrong continues to impress in sixth during his top-tier debut.
Heartbreak for Paddon and Pajari
Not every driver survived the treacherous conditions of the twelfth stage as the sun began to set. Hayden Paddon dropped out of contention after becoming stuck in a field following a high-speed slide. Sami Pajari also retired from the event after his car made contact with a tree.
Final Standings and Summary
The rally heads into its final day with Oliver Solberg firmly in control of the overall classification. Four stages remain on the schedule, including two legendary runs over the famous and steep Col de Turini. Fans expect a thrilling conclusion as the teams fight for every remaining championship point.
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Source: WRC
