France's Sebastien Loeb won the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally on Sunday to become, at 47, the oldest driver to win a round of the world championship.
The nine-time world champion, driving for M-Sport Ford in his first rally since 2020 after retiring from full-time competition in 2012, took a record-equalling eighth career Monte Carlo victory after late drama for rival Sebastien Ogier.
Compatriot Ogier, an eight-time world champion who has also won Monte Carlo eight times and is now competing part-time for Toyota, suffered a puncture to his car's front-left tyre on the penultimate stage while leading by nearly half a minute.
Loeb kept the advantage in the final stage to win the first rally of the sport's new hybrid era by 10.5 seconds, with Ogier collecting a 10-second penalty for a jumped start.
“I feel really happy. I didn't expect so much when I came here, but it was a great fight,” said Loeb, who had battled fellow-great Ogier from the start.
“Ogier was really fast and I struggled a bit yesterday and even this morning.
Ireland's Craig Breen finished third on his debut with M-Sport.
Loeb's new co-driver Isabelle Galmiche became the first woman to stand on top of a world rally championship podium since Italy's Fabrizia Pons partnered winner Piero Liatti in Monte Carlo in 1997.
The victory was Loeb's 80th in the world championship and first since Spain in 2018, when he was with Citroën.
The Frenchman also finished second in the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia this month.
Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera took five bonus points for winning the final Power Stage, ahead of team mate Elfyn Evans and Hyundai's Thierry Neuville.
Loeb took two bonus points for fourth and Ogier one for fifth.
The next round of the championship is in Sweden from February 24-27.
Loeb becomes oldest WRC winner after Monte Carlo drama
Image: Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images
France's Sebastien Loeb won the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally on Sunday to become, at 47, the oldest driver to win a round of the world championship.
The nine-time world champion, driving for M-Sport Ford in his first rally since 2020 after retiring from full-time competition in 2012, took a record-equalling eighth career Monte Carlo victory after late drama for rival Sebastien Ogier.
Compatriot Ogier, an eight-time world champion who has also won Monte Carlo eight times and is now competing part-time for Toyota, suffered a puncture to his car's front-left tyre on the penultimate stage while leading by nearly half a minute.
Loeb kept the advantage in the final stage to win the first rally of the sport's new hybrid era by 10.5 seconds, with Ogier collecting a 10-second penalty for a jumped start.
“I feel really happy. I didn't expect so much when I came here, but it was a great fight,” said Loeb, who had battled fellow-great Ogier from the start.
“Ogier was really fast and I struggled a bit yesterday and even this morning.
Ireland's Craig Breen finished third on his debut with M-Sport.
Loeb's new co-driver Isabelle Galmiche became the first woman to stand on top of a world rally championship podium since Italy's Fabrizia Pons partnered winner Piero Liatti in Monte Carlo in 1997.
The victory was Loeb's 80th in the world championship and first since Spain in 2018, when he was with Citroën.
The Frenchman also finished second in the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia this month.
Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera took five bonus points for winning the final Power Stage, ahead of team mate Elfyn Evans and Hyundai's Thierry Neuville.
Loeb took two bonus points for fourth and Ogier one for fifth.
The next round of the championship is in Sweden from February 24-27.
READ MORE
F1 bans pre-race military fly-pasts but Red Arrows still clear for take-off
Mercedes agree to let F1 engine expert join Red Bull in May
Aston Martin reach agreement with Red Bull on F1 aero chief
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos