Jon Armstrong initially placed sixth in the opening stage and subsequently achieved the third-fastest time in the second stage, elevating him to third place overall.
Jon Armstrong currently holds fifth position following the initial three stages of his World Rally Championship debut at the prestigious Rallye Monte Carlo.
The M-Sport Ford driver started with a sixth-place finish in the first stage before demonstrating impressive pace with the third-fastest time in the challenging, ice-covered second stage, advancing him to third overall.
Due to significant safety concerns arising from heavy fog, the third stage was prematurely halted. Armstrong, who was partway through the stage at the time of the stoppage, was granted a notional time, a provision made by rally officials for competitors unable to complete a stage under exceptional circumstances.
This adjustment resulted in him dropping to fifth overall. Nonetheless, it marks an exceptional first day in the premier tier of rallying for the Northern Ireland native.
Armstrong, 31, trails rally leader Oliver Solberg by one minute and 34.5 seconds. Solberg seized the lead with a remarkable time in the second stage, overtaking Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans, who had previously set the pace in Thursday’s opening stage.
Evans was among several drivers who voiced concerns about the limited visibility before the stage was ultimately suspended.
“I couldn’t see anything, so it was probably the right decision [to stop the stage],” stated Armstrong, a member of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.
“It’s a good start for the first day in Rally1 and the first day of Monte-Carlo and I know I can drive, but it’s mostly the things around it that make me nervous.”
Reigning champion Sebastien Ogier secured third place, having topped the timesheets in the final stage before it was halted.
Josh McErlean of Motorsport Ireland experienced an early setback, crashing after his car slid off the icy road on the second stage, struck a tree, and became lodged in a ditch. Similarly, Finland’s Sami Pajari encountered difficulties with a broken wheel on his Toyota.
McErlean is expected to rejoin the rally following his incident.
The rally is scheduled to resume with six stages on Friday, culminating in four stages each on Saturday and Sunday.
Rallye Monte Carlo Standings (After stage 3/17)
1. Oliver Solberg SWE (Toyota) Leader
2. Elfyn Evans GB (Toyota) +44.7 seconds
3. Sebastien Ogier FRA (Toyota) +1m 8.6s
4. Thierry Neuville BEL (Hyundai) +1m25.9s
5. Jon Armstrong IRL (Ford) +1m34.5s
RET Josh McErlean IRL (Ford)
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