The nine-time champion faced a 24.6s deficit heading into Stage 16 after Ogier extended his overnight 21.1s lead on Stage 15, but the M-Sport driver was handed a lifeline when drama struck his rival.
Ogier picked up a front left puncture running through La Penne/Collongues 2, 19.37km stage that saw the eight-time world champion’s lead evaporate and hopes of a ninth Monte Carlo win severely dented.
In contrast, Loeb won the stage to open up a 9.5s lead heading into the final Power Stage, as the rally-long fight between the WRC legends is poised for a grandstand finish.
M-Sport’s Craig Breen remains in third position and on course for a fourth consecutive WRC podium, and his first for the British squad. The Irishman is 1m28.3s adrift but comfortably 54.9s ahead of fourth-placed Kalle Rovanpera.
Gus Greensmith’s M-Sport Ford Puma sits fifth in front of Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville in the sole remaining i20 N after the team elected to retire the Oliver Solberg entry after Sunday…
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