Katsuta leads Toyota ahead of unpredictable Monte-Carlo Rally

Takamoto Katsuta set the pace during Thursday's shakedown for Rallye Monte-Carlo, recording a 2:31.8 on the dry roads near Gap. The Toyota driver finished 1.3 seconds clear of his teammate Sébastien Ogier, who opted for a measured start to his home event.

Oliver Solberg secured the third-fastest time, followed by Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari, as competitors took advantage of unseasonably sunny conditions. While the morning provided dry Tarmac, crews are bracing for difficult conditions as snow is expected later in the week.

Hyundai drivers Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux prioritized preparation over raw pace, utilizing studded tyres despite the dry surface to gather data for the upcoming stages. Neuville experienced a minor contact with a bank during his second run, while Hayden Paddon also reported slight vehicle damage after a braking error near a bridge.