January in the Principality coincides with the return of the world famous Monte-Carlo Rally! As last year, this 91st edition of the race will take up its winter residence in Monaco, before winding through the legendary passes of the Côte d’Azur.
It's the season! Every January, Monaco sees the return of the traditional Monte-Carlo Rally, the opening leg of the FIA World Rally Championship.
After three days of reconnaissance and a final practice session starting from Sainte-Agnès, Europe's highest coastal village, the cars will line up on the iconic Place du Casino on at 6.30 pm on 19 January, for the start of the great race! For this first night-time stage, they will head to the legendary Turini Pass… The night promises to be unprecedented, with the second stage racing through a series of no fewer than five passes!
The Monte-Carl’ will then continue to the foot of the Mercantour National Park via the Col de la Couillole pass, before heading into the north-west of the hinterland and returning to Monaco on Sunday 22 January at around 2.30 pm.
The route is as selective and exacting as ever, geographically more compact and featuring some challenging time trial stages: the Monte-Carlo Rally should once again live up to all its promise, after the 2021 edition saw Sébastien Loeb emerge triumphant, becoming the oldest driver ever to win a stage of the WRC!
Kalle Rovanperä, reigning world champion, Thierry Neuville, Sébastien Ogier and their fellow competitors will need to draw on all their skill to navigate the roads of the Côte d'Azur and get the WRC season off to the best possible start!
Photo credits:
ACM - Michael Alesi