(Reuters) – Seven times world rally champion Sebastien Ogier celebrated the 50th victory of his career by winning the Monte Carlo season-opener for a record eighth time on Sunday.
The Frenchman, who was born and grew up in Gap where the rally is based, beat Welsh team mate Elfyn Evans by 32.6 seconds in a Toyota one-two.
Last year’s winner Thierry Neuville of Belgium denied the Japanese manufacturer a podium sweep with third place for Hyundai.
Ogier had previously been level with compatriot and nine times world champion Sebastien Loeb with seven Monte Carlo rally wins each.
The 37-year-old Ogier took a maximum 30-point haul from the asphalt event in the French Alps, run without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after also winning the final power stage for five bonus points.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by Ken Ferris)
