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Australia

Meeke leads Ogier in Monte Carlo shakedown

Toyota newcomer Kris Meeke set the pace on shakedown for the 2019 World Rally Championship-opening Monte Carlo Rally on Thursday.

Kris Meeke, Sebastian Marshall, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC

Kris Meeke, Sebastian Marshall, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC

McKlein / Motorsport Images

The WRC returnee refused to read anything into his time, which was a tenth of a second faster than six-time Monte winner and defending champion Sebastien Ogier.

Meeke completed five runs at the two-mile stage which was run in dry, sunny conditions.

“It’s shakedown,” he said. “In fact, in those conditions, it was probably a good test for Corsica! It was bone dry, different to the conditions we’re expecting tonight.”

Meeke admitted his first meaningful action in a Yaris WRC didn’t go to plan when he forgot to use the launch control on the startline.

“I tested in mid-December,” he said, “so it’s a while [since I was in the car] and I’m still finding my way around a little bit. With a couple of seconds to go before the start, I went on the throttle and it was: “Waaaa, bap, bap, bap, bap!” I was: “Why’s it not holding the revs?” Then I remembered…

“After that it was great, everything worked really well. You know you can test as much as you want, but it’s only when you get into the rally environment that you find out more. Let’s see what happens, but I’m happy to be here and happy with my car.”

The first shakedown of the season was a positive one for Citroen’s all-new team with Esapekka Lappi backing Ogier up in third place, half a second down on Meeke.

Toyota Ott Tanak and Jari-Matti Latvala were fourth- and fifth-fastest, with Thierry Neuville first of the Hyundais in sixth, 1.6s down on Meeke’s benchmark. M-Sport men Teemu Suninen and Elfyn Evans were close behind the Belgian.

Sebastien Loeb’s first WRC shakedown in a Hyundai i20 Coupe ended with him 10th-fastest, with his quickest run 2.9s slower than fastest coming on his fifth attempt at the test on the outskirts of Gap.

Sébastien Ogier, Julien Ingrassia, Citroën Total WRT Citroen C3 WRC

Sébastien Ogier, Julien Ingrassia, Citroën Total WRT Citroen C3 WRC

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Andreas Mikkelsen, Anders Jæger, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Andreas Mikkelsen, Anders Jæger, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport

Thierry Neuville, Nicolas Gilsoul, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Thierry Neuville, Nicolas Gilsoul, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Thierry Neuville, Nicolas Gilsoul, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Thierry Neuville, Nicolas Gilsoul, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport

Elfyn Evans, Daniel Barritt, M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC

Elfyn Evans, Daniel Barritt, M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Sébastien Loeb, Daniel Elena, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Sébastien Loeb, Daniel Elena, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport

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Edition

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