Motoring News
nated and communicate clearly than at
the legendary “Monte”.
15 special stages, over 380
kilometres, two Service Parks
The Rally Monte Carlo traditionally
winds its way through the French Maritime Alps and thus through the hinterland of the principality. The mother of
all the stages on the 2014 rally promises to be the special stage between Vitrolles and Faye. At 49.03 kilometres, it
is one of the longest on the WRC calendar. The final stage, from Sospel to
Breil-sur-Roya, will also play a crucial
role. Its 16.55 kilometres form the Power Stage. The fastest three cars here
will earn bonus points towards the
championship. The anomaly: starting
at just after nine o’clock in the evening,
the Power Stage at the “Monte” will
take place in the dark. The Service
Parks are another anomaly: the cars
will be maintained in Gap on the opening two days of the Rally, with the harbour in Monaco – a stone’s throw from
the famous Rascasse corner from the
Formula One Grand Prix – providing
the backdrop to the second Service
Park on the final two days.
Quotes ahead of the Rally Monte Carlo
Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R
WRC #1
“Our main goal is obviously to defend
the title. It is never easy to win a title,
but successfully defending it is even
more difficult. I am certain that the
other teams will put us under pressure.
However, I am confident about the new
season on the back of such a successful
2013. We have made small improvements to the Polo R WRC. For example,
it is now even more reliable. A new
manufacturer is joining the series in
2014, in the form of Hyundai, and this
will make the competition even fiercer.
That is what I am really looking forward to in Monte Carlo. I am also
pleased that the ‘Monte’ will start from
my home town of Gap this year. That is
an extra incentive for me to be the
fastest come the end of the rally.”
Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R
11
WRC #2
“For me, the start of the new season is
a completely different situation to one
year ago. Back then, both the team and
the car were new to us. We are now f֖Ɩ"v