Sebastien Loeb proved he has lost none of rallying prowess after opening up a comfortable lead following the opening stages of the sport's most-famous event.
The nine-times champion officially retired from World Rally 15 months ago, but after a season in the World Touring Car Championship last year, is making a one-off guest appearance in the Monte Carlo Rally.
Back at the wheel of a Citroen DS3, the 40-year-old finished the day 13.3secs clear of his nearest rival in reigning double champion Sebastien Ogier after the initial two stages over 40 kilometres of snowy and icy roads.
Loeb covered the 21.31km opening stage from Entrevaux to Rouaine in 15 minutes 53.5secs, 22 seconds faster than next best in Estonian Ott Tanak in his Ford Fiesta RS, with Ogier a remarkable 30 seconds off the pace.
The Frenchman, a seven-times winner of 'the Monte', was astonished by his time as he said: "So much ice around. It didn't feel like we were going fast at all.
"Three kilometres before the end I told Daniel (Elena, co-driver)
'That's it, I've stopped - completely stopped' That's really how it felt - and then we saw the time!"
The second stage of the 19.68km between Norante and Digne-Les-Bains saw Ogier make inroads into Loeb's advantage.
Loeb had to settle for third quickest on the stage, 17.6secs slower than Ogier in his Volkswagen Polo R, but still with a 13-second cushion.
Suggesting his choice of rubber accounted for his time compared to Ogier, Loeb said: "It was okay, but a lot of gravel everywhere in every corner.
"I had a good tyre choice for the first stage, but it wasn't the best for the second."
Ogier's Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala, runner-up in last year's championship, lies third in the standings, 36.1secs adrift, with Tanak dropping to fourth and 38.6secs off the pace.
Welshman Elfyn Evans in his Ford Fiesta RS and Northern Ireland's Kris Meeke driving a Citroen DS3 are fifth and sixth respectively, 47.4secs and 59.8secs down.
