Snow, rain, fog, temperatures around zero, the drivers could expect all these on speed trials of 27 and 45 km, which have taken them to a height of 1,400 above sea-level. The first section (27 km) was partially on snow, in places slushy, the second, the longest stage in this year’s rally (45 km), was mostly on wet asphalt. Thick fog made the conditions difficult for the drivers the whole day.

After the first day, Hänninen and Markkula are a minute and four seconds behind the leader Hirvonen.
Juho Hänninen: “Maybe today we didn’t choose the right types, but there is still a long way to go.”

The Kopecký-Starý crew today experienced bad luck right at the start of today’s introductory speed trial, when their front right type burst and they lost almost four minutes changing the wheel. After today’s stage they are 12th, 5 minutes and 40 seconds behind.

Jan Kopecký: “The tyre burst, it was bad and influenced the first two stages. It’s pretty foggy, Monte Carlo is difficult, as always.”

The Škoda Motorsport team is being supplemented by the French driver Nicolas Vouilloz and co-driver Benjamin Veillas at the Monte Carlo Rally. After the first day they are in fourth place, close behind their teammates and a minute and twenty seconds behind the leader.

Nicolas Vouilloz: “It’s a really difficult competition. I think we chose the right tyres, but I’m still not satisfied with our performance. We are learning, we don’t want to take risks, the Fabia is working great.