Armstrong and Byrne sixth as they continue to impress in Monte Carlo

The Ulster crew of Jon Armstrong/Shane Byrne (Ford Puma Rally1) hold sixth position in Rallye Monte-Carlo, the opening round of the World Rally Championship. Picture: @World / Red Bull Content Pool.

As World Rally Championship Rally1 debutants Jon Armstrong/Shane Byrne continue to impress and lead the M-Sport Ford challenge from sixth place on the second day of Rallye Monte Carlo, Swedish driver Oliver Solberg (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) retains a commanding lead of a minute and 8.4 seconds over his Welsh team mate Elfyn Evans with French driver and reigning champion Sebastien Ogier just 6.5s further behind to complete a Toyota lock-out of the top three places.

Again, the weather was a cocktail of conditions that added to the challenge. On the morning loop of three stages Solberg didn't offer his rivals any encouragement and was quickest on day's opening stage by 19.1 seconds. Although he lost some 30 seconds with a puncture on the middle stage he made an instant response on the final stage of the loop and arrived at the service park in Gap with a lead of a minute and 4.2 seconds.