The Toyota driver challenged for a record-extending 10th Monte Carlo win before ultimately losing a gripping head-to-head to Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville by a margin of 16.1 seconds. The second-place finish marked his 13th podium in 15 Monte Carlo event starts.
Ogier produced an inspired drive to win six stages, including a 700th career stage victory. However, after setting a fastest time on Friday’s stage five - which he won by 11.2s - Ogier was close to tears.
At the end of the rally, he revealed he’d been dealing with loss of a close supporter who ignited his motorsport career in the days prior to the event.
“It’s been, first of all, a nice battle with Thierry - well done to him, he has been really fast this weekend,” said Ogier.
“For me, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. I struggled a lot on Friday especially.
“It was hard to say goodbye on Monday to a person who was very important to me, who basically launched my career in motorsport and who bought me my first kart. There is never a good time for these things, but it was so sudden.”
Source: Autosport