Monte Carlo Rally

Monte Carlo Rally (Rallye Monte-Carlo)

Definition and Historical Status
Organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco, the Monte Carlo Rally is an annual rallying event held every January across the Principality of Monaco and the French Alps. Founded in 1911, it stands as one of the oldest rallies in the world and has served as the season opener since the inception of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1973, remaining the most prestigious round on the WRC calendar today. Originally dubbed the Monaco Rally, the event was officially renamed the Monte Carlo Rally in 1924. With Monaco covering an area of only around 2 square kilometres, the stages are held across the French Alps, renowned for their challenging and constantly shifting conditions across ice, snow, wet tarmac, and dry asphalt.

Origins and Early Format
The rally was conceived by Monegasque tobacco merchant Alexandre Noghès with the backing of Prince Albert I. The original aim was to draw European high-society crowds visiting the Nice Carnival across to Monte Carlo, showcasing Monaco's mild winter climate. The inaugural 1911 event adopted a multi-starting point "concentration run" format: competitors set off from major European cities to converge on Monte Carlo, with scoring based not only on elapsed time, but also on the vehicle's aesthetic condition upon arrival. This concentration format became the early rally's most distinct hallmark, setting it apart from conventional point-to-point rallies.

Core Status in the WRC Era
When the WRC was established in 1973, the Monte Carlo Rally was chosen as the curtain-raiser, and apart from a brief absence between 2009 and 2011, it has remained a cornerstone on the championship calendar. Unpredictability is the rally's defining trait, where dry tarmac, wet sections, snow, and black ice can all feature within a single stage, making tyre choice the decisive factor in performance. The iconic Col de Turini night stage is the event's most gruelling test, requiring drivers to navigate narrow, ice- and snow-covered mountain passes in pitch darkness.

2026 Season Race Report
The 94th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally in 2026 took place from 22 to 25 January and was described by organisers as "one of the most demanding in recent years". Contested amidst nocturnal fog, rain, snow, ice, and mud, the rally saw Stage 3 cancelled due to heavy fog. Driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, Swedish driver Oliver Solberg took his maiden Monte Carlo victory, completing the full distance in just under 4 hours and 25 minutes to finish 52 seconds clear of teammate Evans, with nine-time world champion Ogier taking third. Solberg became the youngest Monte Carlo winner since 1937, achieving a milestone that eluded his father Petter Solberg (the 2003 WRC World Champion). The event also featured a Super Special Stage held on sections of the Monaco F1 circuit, watched live by over 20,000 spectators.

All-Time Winner Records
French driver Sébastien Ogier holds the outright record for the most Monte Carlo Rally driver victories with 9 wins, having won in 2009 and across 2014 to 2019, followed by two further victories in 2021 and 2023. In 2023, Ogier matched and then surpassed the previous benchmark of 8 wins held by Sébastien Loeb. In 2025, Ogier took his tenth victory to extend his record even further. Loeb likewise boasts 8 titles in Monte Carlo, making the duo the two most dominant drivers in the history of the event.

2027 Season Route Changes
The 95th edition in 2027 will run from 17 to 24 January, with organisers having already revealed the route itinerary. Compared to 2026, the number of Special Stages increases from 17 to 18 over a total competitive distance of approximately 353 km, introducing several new stages alongside revived classic routes. The Monaco F1 circuit Super Special Stage featured in 2026 will be dropped and replaced by six classic mountain stages in the French Alps on Saturday. Sunday's finale will continue to feature the La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet stage over the Col de Turini as the Power Stage. The service park remains based in the French town of Gap, which generated an estimated €4.4 million in economic benefits from hosting the event in 2025.