Elfyn Evans holds second place at Rallye Monte Carlo after a dramatic Friday within the World Rally Championship, whereas Jon Armstrong slipped to sixth.

Wales’ Evans is one minute and eight seconds behind Toyota team-mate Oliver Solberg, who continued his very good efficiency within the French Alps.

Reigning champion Sebastien Ogier, who beat Evans to the title final 12 months, is now simply 6.5 seconds behind his Toyota team-mate after he gained the ultimate two levels of the day.

“We misplaced fairly a little bit of floor to Seb, who’s been doing a terrific job, so it is shut and thrilling for Saturday,” mentioned Evans, 36.

“With harder situations to come back, it appears to be like like it is going to be a traditional ‘Monte’ till the top.”

The Hyundai duo of Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville are a distant fourth and fifth forward of Northern Eire’s Armstrong, who has fallen to sixth place after a powerful opening day.

The M-Sport driver, who had been third after the opening two levels, misplaced three minutes to alter a puncture after he ran right into a ditch at excessive pace.

“Contemplating the problems we had, it is not been a simple day, however that is Monte,” mentioned the 31-year-old Armstrong.

His M-Sport and Motorsport Eire team-mate Josh McErlean suffered his second accident of the week after he slid off the street and acquired caught in a snowbank on Friday’s remaining stage.

The 26-year-old was one in all a number of drivers who had been caught out by an icy nook on the second stage on Thursday evening, when his Ford Puma Rally1 acquired caught in a ditch.

The opening occasion of the season continues on Saturday with 4 levels, and 4 extra to comply with on Sunday.

Rallye Monte Carlo Standings (9/17 levels)

1. Olilver Solberg SWE (Toyota) Chief

2. Elfyn Evans GB (Toyota) +1m 08.4s

3. Sebastien Ogier FRA (Toyota) +1m 14.9s

4. Adrien Fourmaux FRA (Hyundai) +5m 05.2s

5. Thierry Neuville BEL (Hyundai) +6m 05.3s

6. Jon Armstrong IRL (Ford) +7m 18.8s

RET Josh McErlean IRL (Ford)