As expected, Sebastien Loeb won his second consecutive Monte with a commanding win over Ford’s Markko Martin and Francois Duval. Marcus Gronholm held fourth place, one his best finishes in the rally. Two big surprises: Freddy Loix took fifth, and Gilles Panizzi, in the new Mitsubishi Lancer took sixth. Perhaps Peugeot’s signing of Loix wasn’t such a bad idea. Panizzi’s sixth was a great result for the team in its return to the championship. Panizzi was subdued in his praise for the car, but obviously it was quick enough and reliable enough to score a couple of championship points. Petter Solberg looked as if he’d give Gronholm a run at fourth with a stage win, but then a collision with a rock damaged the suspension on his Impreza and Solberg dropped to seventh. Still, not a bad start, considering Solberg had never finished at Monte before, let alone score championship points.

Loeb seems to have picked up where he left off last season, and he’ll be the man to beat all year. Ford has to be pleased with the performance of the Focus, and of David Duval. But the season is young, and Duval is on a short lease with team management, so he’s got to keep up the pace. The new Peugeot 307 looks quick and generally reliable, so perhaps Gronholm will be a threat to the overall title this season. At least the manufacturer’s race will be interesting, with Citroen, Ford and Peugeot all staking their claims.

The championship moves to Sweden in two weeks. This will be a critical rally for Markko Martin and Petter Solberg, as they both have the skill and experience to win it. Solberg needs to land on the podium to stay in the title hunt, even with the season just getting started. Keep an eye out for Freddy Loix as well — he’s proven he’s a strong driver given a good car, and he could be a darkhorse on the snow.

Posted on 25 January 2004