Reigning world champion Sébastien Ogier was quickest out of the blocks on the 2017 Rallye Monte Carlo shakedown, yet it was Andreas Mikkelsen who caused the biggest stir. On the 3.35km test around the rally’s base in Gap, Ogier began the new partnership with M-Sport by setting quickest times on the first two runs, his 2.18 times were six seconds faster than his closest WRC car rival. The main surprise of the test was the man who headed the opposition, WRC2 competitor Andreas Mikkelsen. The Norwegian, competing in a Skoda Fabia R5, which was giving around 100bhp to the champion's Ford Fiesta WRC, was four seconds slower on the first run and six seconds slower on the second pass....
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