Thierry Neuville started his hunt for the 2024 World Rally Championship crown in the perfect manner by scoring maximum points at the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally.
The Hyundai driver edged out Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier in an epic head-to-head where Neuville beat the eight-time world champion by 16.1 seconds.
Neuville is one of the favourites for the 2024 WRC title having previously finished runner-up on five occasions, while reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera is only contesting a partial campaign this season.
The Belgian’s three closest rivals also completed the top four in Monaco with runner-up Ogier ahead of third-placed Elfyn Evans and 2019 champion Ott Tanak in fourth.
Next up is Rally Sweden, which is the only round to take place entirely on snow and ice as drivers will tackle 186 miles in the north of the country.
Rally Sweden is one of the oldest events on the WRC calendar with its inauguration in 1950 - 39 years after Monte Carlo’s debut - and recent times have seen success for Tanak, who has won it twice in the past four years.
Neuville and Evans have both won it once, while Rovanpera will take Ogier’s place this weekend and the Toyota driver also has one victory in Sweden.
Source: Autosport