WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo

Mind the Gap!

For this 93rd edition, the queen of the Rally races is returning to the Hautes-Alpes département, and specifically Gap, which was the host town from 2014 to 2021, then again in 2024.

The Organising Committee of the Automobile Club de Monaco has opted to raise the bar even higher for this 2025 Rallye Monte-Carlo, with an exacting route that’s perhaps more challenging than ever before.

This inaugural stage of the FIA World Rally Championship will throw all manner of problems in the teams’ way, as they navigate the narrow and winding back country roads through the Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, and Drôme.

The rally will officially get under way on Thursday 23 January 2025, and will culminate with the trophy presentation on the legendary Place du Casino in Monaco.

Joy and heartbreak

 In 2024, Belgian driver Thierry Neuville claimed victory in the Principality for the second time, following his maiden win here in 2020.  For his co-pilot Martijn Wydaeghe, it was a first win in Monte-Carlo.

"I’m speechless. This weekend was so amazing, I felt so at ease,” said Neuville as he prepared to take his place on the top step of the podium of the Col de Turini.

He dominated his rivals, Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier, the latter being the all-time legend of the Rallye Monte-Carlo with nine wins.

Sadly, it was a difficult weekend for the Frenchman who was grieving the loss of his uncle. Though he went ahead and competed in the race, after the final special stage an emotional Ogier explained:

"It was hard to say goodbye on Monday [22 January 2024] to someone who was very important to me, who got me started in motor sport and bought me my first kart."

But like the true champion he is, he added: “It was a great battle with Thierry. Well done to him, he was quick this weekend. For me, it was a difficult week. An emotional rollercoaster.

This 92nd Monte-Carlo Rally, in his home territory, brought all his memories of racing here as a young driver flooding back.

The legend lives on...

To finish the 2025 rally in style, the final special stage will be the legendary Col de Turini: La Bollène-Vésubie / Peïra-Cava, which will also be a Power Stage.

This special stage has been driven in the dark, in the snow, and ice.  Triumph and failure, joy and despair, the drivers have seen it all. And the legend was born. For many years, the Col de Turini was the climax of the Monte-Carlo Rally.

A little history...

The jewel in the crown of the Championship, the Monte-Carlo Rally is the oldest event on the calendar.

Its first edition in 1911 was designed to promote Monaco as a tourist destination. The teams started from several European cities before meeting in the Principality.

The event took place in January, to show that the Principality's climate at that time of the year was exceptionally mild. Two men are today credited with creating the rally:  Gabriel Vialon and Antony Noghes. Société des Bains de Mer funded the operation, which saw just 23 competitors take part that first year. 

The following year, that figured quadrupled and the Monte-Carlo Rally was well and truly on the map!

Since the first winner in 1911, French driver Henry Rougier, this top-class sporting event has provided decades of thrills and spills.

The “Sebs”:  Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier dominated the Monte-Carlo Rally, with Loeb racking up eight wins and Ogier a total of nine, including the 2023 race!

Monaco’s own Daniel Eléna was Sébastien Loeb’s faithful co-pilot for his seven wins in the “Monte”, between 2003 and 2013.

 Will Neuville make it a hat-trick of wins in 2025?

For the official programme, visit the ACM website.