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WRC 2026 season… here we go!

On the Port of Monaco, the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) officially launched its 2026 season, just days ahead of the start of the 94th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo (22-25 January 2026). From livery reveals and crew introductions to the comeback of Lancia, here is a look back at the 2026 WRC season launch ceremony.

Against the stunning backdrop of Monaco’s Quai Albert 1er, the inaugural launch ceremony for the 2026 WRC season took place this Saturday, 17 January. On the massive stage set up by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) in the heart of the fan zone, crews took to the stage one after another in front of the fans. Manufacturers unveiled their liveries, while drivers shared their initial thoughts ahead of the 94th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo, which officially kicks off on Thursday, 22 January at 2:30 pm.

At the end of the ceremony, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was presented with a rally helmet by Michel Boeri, President of the ACM, and Jona Siebel, Managing Director of the WRC Promoter. The 2026 WRC season is well and truly underway!

Sébastien Ogier, of course!

Reigning World Champions and winners of the 2025 edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo, Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais are back sporting the number 1 on their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. The Gap native, chasing a record-extending 11th victory in the Monegasque event, naturally starts as the favorite. « This rally still makes me dream as much as ever, and we’ll do everything we can to try and keep this great run going », stated the nine-time World Champion.

Facing the defending champions, the competition promises to be fierce. Within Toyota itself, the duo Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin will be aiming for their maiden success on the Monte-Carlo roads. The list of favorites also includes the Hyundai drivers, notably Thierry Neuville / Martijn Wydaeghe — already double winners of the event (2020 and 2024) — as well as Frenchmen Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria, who finished 3rd in the 2025 edition for their first Monte-Carlo with Hyundai.

« I am able to perform at the front », declared Adrien Fourmaux before stepping onto the podium alongside his teammates. « Last season’s rally gave me a lot of confidence, and I know my team much better now. »

Also of note is the debut of rookie crew Jon Armstrong / Shane Byrne at M-Sport Ford, and the entry of veterans Hayden Paddon / John Kennard for Hyundai, making their WRC return for the first time since 2018.

Lancia’s grand return

Before the WRC cars took to the stage, the WRC2 category showcased two of its main attractions for the 2026 season. The biggest headline is undoubtedly Lancia, back in the Championship after leaving in 1993. The Italian manufacturer, fielding two Ypsilon HF Rally2 cars in WRC2, starts as a favorite with its crews Yohan Rossel / Arnaud Dunand (2025 winners) and Nikolay Gryazin / Konstantin Aleksandrov.

The return of the Italian brand is a powerful symbol for rally fans and the history of Monte-Carlo. « It would be a pleasure to win a fourth time with a legendary brand like Lancia, which made us dream », admitted Yohan Rossel, driver of the No. 21 Lancia.

The WRC2 category, featuring 25 entries, will once again be highly competitive this season. Many crews will be ones to watch, such as Frenchmen Eric Camilli / Thibault de La Haye (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), runners-up in the category last year, and Léo Rossel / Guillaume Mercoiret (Citroën C3 Rally2), who finished third in 2025.

A calendar comeback and the final year before regulation changes

Like last season, the 2026 World Rally Championship will be contested over 14 rounds. Dropped from the calendar in 2025, the Croatia Rally makes its return, replacing the Central European Rally.

Finally, this 2026 season marks the final year for the current Rally1 cars, present since 2022, before a major regulation overhaul. They will be replaced by a new car in 2027, set to run for ten years.

Heading towards the 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo

The show is over; now it’s time to hit the tarmac for the first reconnaissance runs. Starting tomorrow, the 66 crews will discover the route of the Super Special Stage for the first time (12:00 pm – 2:00 pm), before heading towards the roads of SS14/16 and 15/17.

Published on:18 January 2026