Once again, Tänak was in a league of his own on this tricky stage. Having dominated the morning’s run, he managed to go even faster on the second pass through the afternoon.
Tänak finished a stunning nine seconds ahead of second-placed Sebastien Ogier. Other drivers were left trailing even further behind.
“A lot of pollution in this one, a couple of hairy moments as well. I tried my best in this one,” Tänak commented after his impressive run.
Thanks to his efforts, Tänak has moved into the thick of the podium battle. He’s now just 9.5 seconds behind his Hyundai teammate Adrien Fourmaux, who currently sits in second.
As for Tänak’s nearest rival, Kalle Rovanperä, he’s fallen further back. The Toyota driver lost a significant 17.5 seconds to Tänak’s pace on this stage.
“Our times are terrible. We’re pushing as hard as we can, but it’s not looking good,” Rovanperä admitted.
Ogier, meanwhile, extended his overall lead. The Frenchman now holds a 25-second advantage over Fourmaux and his Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans, who slipped to third.
“It’s more gravel rally than tarmac rally, so dirty! I’m happy to have this one behind me,” Ogier said of the tough conditions.
The Rally Monte-Carlo continues Saturday with one more stage. The event concludes on Sunday.
Rally Monte-Carlo standings after SS14/18:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
| 1. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | 2:31:59.9 |
| 2. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +24.4 |
| 3. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +25.1 |
| 4. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +33.9 |
| 5. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +55.0 |
| 6. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +1:48.3 |
| 7. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +4:08.9 |
| 8. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +5:21.3 |
| 9. | Josh McErlean | Ford | +8:05.3 |
| 10. | Yohan Rossel | Citroen | +8:07.1 |
| 11. | Nikolay Gryazin | Skoda | +8:15.3 |
Itinerary, Rally Monte-Carlo (CET):
Wednesday 22.1. 16.01 Shakedown: Route de la Garde (3,28 km) Thursday 23.1. 18.05 SS1: Digne-les-Bains / Chaudon-Norante 1 (19.01 km) 19.53 SS2: Faucon-du-Caire / Bréziers (21.18 km) 21.06 SS3: Avançon / Notre-Dame-du-Laus 1 (13.97 km) Friday 24.1. 09.31 SS4: Saint-Maurice / Aubessagne 1 (18.68 km) 10.34 SS5: Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve 1 (16.68 km) *CANCELLED 11.42 SS6: La Bréole / Selonnet 1 (18.31 km) 15.23 SS7: Saint-Maurice / Aubessagne 2 (18.68 km) 16.26 SS8: Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve 2 (16.68 km) 17.34 SS9: La Bréole / Selonnet 2 (18.31 km) Saturday 25.1. 08.59 SS10: La Motte-Chalancon / Saint-Nazaire 1 (27.00 km) 10.05 SS11: Aucelon / Recoubeau-Jansac 1 (20.85 km) 11.08 SS12: La Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont 1 (15.48 km) 14.59 SS13: La Motte-Chalancon / Saint-Nazaire 2 (27.00 km) 16.05 SS14: Aucelon / Recoubeau-Jansac 2 (15.48 km) 17.08 SS15: La Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont 2 (17.85 km) Sunday 26.1. 06.39 SS16: Avançon / Notre-Dame-du-Laus 2 (13.97 km) 08.32 SS17: Digne-les-Bains / Chaudon-Norante 2 (19.01 km) 12.15 SS18: La Bollène-Vésubie / Peïra-Cava (17.92 km) *Power Stage
