France’s Ogier wins record-extending 10th Monte Carlo Rally

Gap, France: French driver Sebastien Ogier won a record-extending 10th Monte Carlo Rally on Sunday.

The 41-year-old locally born eight-time former world champion took the season-opener he first won in 2009 with his Welsh Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans in second.

Ogier, who once again is only competing part-time this season, took the lead in the event steeped in motorsport history on Friday afternoon.

On the roads he knows like the back of his hand Ogier completed his perfect 10 with a near 20sec cushion over Evans to cement his status as the master of Monte Carlo.

Ogier’s countryman Adrien Fourmaux, behind the wheel of a Hyundai, completed the podium.

The WRC season moves on to Sweden next month with Ogier topping the fledgling standings on 33 points from Evans on 26 and Fourmaux six points further adrift.

Defending world champion Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) had a quiet start to the defence of his title, finishing sixth on Sunday.