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Spaniards Luis Climent Asensio and Carles Jimenez Valls (BMW 323i No. 103) won a closely contested 28th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. Fourth overall with two special stages to go, they conquered the ‘Night of Turini’ to claim a prestigious victory in the Principality. On home turf, Olivier and Lydia Campana (Volkswagen Golf GTI No. 116) finished in a fine third place.
This Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique 2026 will definitely be remembered. Firstly, because of its revolutionary changes, with the introduction of closed roads, higher average speeds and the expansion of the range of vehicles eligible to participate in the rally. But also because of its sporting aspect, with victory being decided in the final moments. And, as the legend continues to be written, the Col de Turini has once again chosen its winner…
“The Rally will be decided at Turini, of course!” Jérémy Joffre, Deputy General Commissioner and Route Manager for the Monte-Carlo Historique, was spot on just before the start of the final leg. As they set off from Port Hercule to compete in the last two special stages of the event, Spaniards Luis Climent Asensio and Carles Jimenez Valls (BMW 323i No. 103) were fourth in the overall standings.
At the wheel of their 1981 BMW, they won over the rally’s judge. In a gruelling SR17 stage, finishing at the legendary Col de Turini, the Spaniards won with a total of 436 penalty points. The leaders of the standings, Ilya Kashin and Boris Kostyrko (Volkswagen Scirocco No. 102), finished 10th (978 points) and saw the provisional podium slip away, leaving the lead to the No. 103 crew.
🌟 VAINQUEURS 2026 🌟
🏆 Luis Climent Asensio et Carles Jimenez Valls 🇪🇸
🚘 BMW 323i – 1981Après une 2e place sur le podium en 2025, l’équipage espagnol s’impose au sommet cette année 🥇
👉 Retrouvez le Classement complet sur le Live Timing : https://t.co/wXxTHSBwOO
—
— Automobile Club de Monaco (@ACM_Media) February 7, 2026
Finally, in an RS18 shortened due to bad weather affecting the Alpes-Maritimes region on Thursday night and Friday morning, Luis Climent Asensio and Carles Jimenez Valls managed to pull through. They finished second in the special stage, behind their compatriots Jose Luis Masdeu and Paco Fernadez Fores (Porsche 911 SC No. 114), to claim overall victory after a night of suspense.
In the overall standings, they finished ahead of Frenchmen Ludovic De Luca / Sébastien Chol (Peugeot 104 ZS No. 109) and Monegasques Olivier Campana / Lydia Campana (Volkswagen Golf GTI No. 116), who secured their first podium finish in the Rallye Historique.
Second in the 2025 edition in the same BMW 323i, Luis Climent Asensio and Carles Jimenez Valls thus clinched their first victory in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. “We are over the sky!” said the 59-year-old driver at the finish. “This year, second place was not an option. The whole team did a fantastic job preparing for this edition.”
A remarkable edition
“As drivers, we felt like we were in the WRC. Because you have closed roads, helmets and a fantastic organisation, certainly similar to that of the world championship. The Rally has taken a step forward with its new changes.” Like Luis Climent Asensio, the majority of the crews involved praised the revolutionary format of the Monte-Carlo Historique. Between the road closures and the redesigned averages, the event has never been so competitive! 204 competitors were officially classified at the finish line, compared to 244 at the start of the concentration course.
Throughout the week, enthusiasts flocked to the starting towns, the Champ de Mars in Valence, and the departments crossed by the race. They also gathered at iconic locations such as La Remise restaurant in Antraigues-sur-Volane, paying homage to the golden age of Monte-Carlo. These moments of celebration and sharing prove that the Historic still has a bright future ahead of it.
Finally, let us not forget to mention the entire organisational team behind this edition. From the public authorities to the volunteers who ensured the safety of the drivers and spectators, thank you to everyone involved. If the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique 2026 went so smoothly, it is largely thanks to them. See you in 2027!
On Friday 6 February, the second joint stage of the 28th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique took competitors from Drôme to Monaco, with three regularity stages. The crews have now returned to the Principality, before competing in the final stage on the heights of the Col de Turini.
In Digne-les-Bains and Saint-André-les-Alpes, the excitement of the Monte-Carlo Historique was palpable during the time checks organised on Friday. As throughout the week, enthusiasts turned out in force to celebrate this popular and festive event.
At the Port of Monaco, crowds of curious onlookers gathered to see the vehicles and meet the crews. This was particularly true for one special guest: TV presenter Jean-Luc Reichmann, a car enthusiast who came to cheer on his friend Bruno Saby for the occasion.
Christophe Allgeyer, Race Director of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, said he was “satisfied with this edition, which was full of new features.” Although, of course, “we have to wait for the chequered flag to say for sure that it’s been a success!” The Night of Turini, which closes this 28th edition, is not only feared by the competitors…
Unlike the eventful last few days, this second joint stage was much calmer. The 217 competitors still in the running had the goal of reaching Monaco, and the vast majority of them did so.
In RS14, France’s Anthony Guillemat / Geoffrey Payre (Porsche 911 SC No. 23) and Spain’s Luis Climent Asensio / Carles Jimenez Valls (BMW 323i No. 103) shared the victory with 11 points each.
Then, in RS15 and RS16, the Swiss crew Claudio Enz / Cristina Seeberger (Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3 S No. 101), winners in 2023, were flawless, without a single penalty point over the two regularity tests. In the overall standings, Russia’s Ilya Kashin and Boris Kostyrko (Volkswagen Scirocco No. 102) remain in the lead, with two regularity tests still to go in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique 2026.
The final leg, contested during the night of Friday 6 to Saturday 7 February, will start in Monaco at 8:35 pm. The organisers had to change the route at the last minute due to bad weather the day before, which made it impossible for the rally to follow the original route.
Nevertheless, this final night will still feature two iconic stages: La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini (RS17) and La Cabanette / Col de Braus (RS18). And there will be snow! These stages will determine the overall winners of what is already a historic edition. The finish is scheduled for Port Hercule in Monaco from 12:25 am.
Once again, the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique provided plenty of thrills for the 225 competitors who set off from Valence on Thursday 5 February. Snow and ice, ever-present in this 28th edition, shook up the overall standings.
“Before setting off on the special stage, you think you’re Oliver Solberg… But afterwards, it’s a different story!” Ghislain Gaubert (Porsche 911 SC No. 10) was one of many drivers who enjoyed themselves on the roads of the Vercors foothills and the Diois massif.
But once again, it was a tough day for some of them. In the two morning regularity stages (RS11 and RS12), snow-covered and icy roads caused numerous crashes, none of which were serious for the crews involved. Among them were numbers 5, 30, 45, 72, 82, 134, 188, 219, 222 and 236. It was a veritable carnage! Most of them will do their utmost to get back on the road and make it to Monaco.
The Col de Carabès, on RS12, really widened the gaps between the competitors. Highly technical with its icy descent, the drivers who made it to the finish line of this special stage enjoyed competing on it. “It had everything!” enthused Anthony Guillemat, driver of the No. 23 Porsche 911 SC. “It was great! I said to my co-driver: this is the best special stage we’ve had so far!”
Then, on RS13, the dirty road, still damaged in places by the WRC event two weeks earlier, made the stage even more gruelling. After this perilous day, Spaniards Luis Climent Asensio and Carles Jimenez Valls (BMW 323i No. 103) lost the lead in the rally to Russian duo Ilya Kashin and Boris Kostyrko.
The Volkswagen Scirocco No. 102 crew, renowned for their consistency, continued their momentum from the previous day, winning another special stage (RS12), their third of the week. In the overall standings, they have 310 points, ahead of Ludovic De Luca / Sébastien Chol (393 points) and Claudio Enz / Cristina Seeberger (450 points).
This Friday, competitors will set off from Valence at 7:00 am for a long day. The second common stage includes historic sections of the Monte Carlo Rally, such as the Col des Garcinets, the highest point of the RS15. Competitors will contest a final regularity special stage, the longest of the day, between Auzet and Esclangon (RS16). They will then head to Dignes-les-Bains and Saint-André-les-Alpes for TC, before returning to the Parc Fermé in Monaco, scheduled for 4:30 pm.
Don’t miss our special live broadcast from the Port of Monaco. Follow the event live from 6:00 pm on the Automobile Club de Monaco’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Finally, they will set off again at 8:35 pm from Monaco to compete in the final stage, with the famous ‘Nuit du Turini’ promising plenty of surprises. The final finish, at Port Hercule in Monaco, is scheduled for 12:25 am on the night of 7 February.
On Wednesday 4 February, the 28th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique criss-crossed the roads of Ardèche and stopped off at a landmark: the La Remise restaurant in Antraigues-sur-Volane. Whether in Valence, Vals-les-Bains, Privas, and of course Antraigues, the passion for Monte Carlo was palpable everywhere.
The second stage of the competition, with its 100% Ardèche route, was sure to please the 231 competitors who set off from Valence at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday. But also, and above all, the many fans who came to admire the legends of Monte Carlo.
Families, young, older people… They were out in force, present at all the time checks and on the roads, to experience the passion and excitement of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. In Vals-les-Bains, Privas and Valence, where the competitors arrived, spectators were there to celebrate this festive and popular event.
And one of the highlights of the day was, of course, the drive past La Remise restaurant in Antraigues-sur-Volane! With its famous tradition: slices of apple pie offered to competitors by the Jouanny family. This was enough to delight the crews’ taste buds, while attracting the attention of Monte-Carlo history enthusiasts, who turned out in large numbers throughout the afternoon. A magical moment that you can relive in this video:
As on the previous day, conditions were difficult for many drivers. However, they all generally enjoyed the four special stages of the day and remain delighted with the new regulations. “The special stages were superb today! We definitely couldn’t have done them on open roads, so well done to the organisers!” said Alain Vinograd and Antoine Lemaire (Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF No. 84).
In the Volkswagen Scirocco No. 102, the crew of Ilya Kashin and Boris Kostyrko proved their worth by winning two special stages (RS8 and RS10). In the overall standings, Spaniards Luis Climent Asensio and Carles Jimenez Valls (BMW 323i No. 103) lead with 159 points ahead of Castelein/Deplancke (166 points) and Ochagavias Temino/Macho Gomez (174 points).
This Thursday, we head to the foothills of Vercors and Diois for the first joint stage. Three special stages are on the programme, with well-known sections from Monte Carlo, including the Col de Carabès in RS12 and the commune of Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, the finish of RS13. The starting order for competitors is now determined by their overall ranking.
Olivier and Lydia Campana, driving the Volkswagen Golf GTI No. 116, were the most consistent performers on an intense first day. Marked by mechanical problems for Bruno Saby and Michel Decremer, as well as a few crashes, the 28th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique got off to a flying start!
More than a week after a hellish Rally Monte-Carlo, snow also made an appearance at the 28th edition of the Rallye Historique. From the very first Regularity Stage, several competitors were caught out by icy sections of road on the western side of the Vercors massif.
With the new version of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, contested on closed roads, the crews took more risks and pushed their cars to the limit.
Although the mechanics were put to the test, and there were several minor crashes, this was largely due to the closure of roads on the special stages and the increase in average speeds. These new features, introduced for the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique 2026, were welcomed by all the competitors.
“It’s magnificent!”, “I’m delighted!”, “It motivated me to come back to the Monte-Carlo Historique”. At the regrouping in Valence, all the competitors were in the same frame of mind: happy and liberated to be racing on closed roads.
From RS3 onwards, Olivier and Lydia Campana (Volkswagen Golf GTI No. 116) took the lead in the standings and never relinquished it for the rest of the day. The Monegasque couple managed the first leg of the classification perfectly, which was marked by numerous twists and turns.
At the end of RS1, Bruno Saby and Christophe Marques’ Renault 5 Turbo no. 38 suffered a mechanical problem. The French crew was unable to reach the Champ de Mars in Valence. Uncertainty hangs over the rest of their rally at the end of this first day.
Later in the day, the no. 100 Opel Ascona driven by two-time defending champions Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo suffered a setback in RS3. Then, at the start of RS5, the no. 29 Austin Healey 3000 MkIII driven by Trevisan / Trevisan Fischer encountered a transmission problem.
Wednesday’s Regularity Stages will also delight crews and fans alike. One of Monte Carlo’s iconic regions, Ardèche, will see historic cars racing along its roads.
Two regularity stages will take place in the morning, followed by a regrouping in Vals-les-Bains and then a time control in La Remise in Antraigues-sur-Volanne, which over the decades has become a highlight of the Rallye Monte-Carlo. You will be able to follow this event live on the Automobile Club de Monaco’s YouTube channel and Facebook page from 2:00 pm!
The 28th edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique marks a real turning point in the history of the event. Several major new features are to be noted, including the widening of the selection of cars, and especially the regularity stages, now contested on closed roads.
At a time when 242 crews have joined Valence at the end of the concentration course, enthusiasm reigns before tackling the first regularity stages this Tuesday, with competitors and spectators alike, in view of the new features of this 28th installment of the Monte-Carlo Historique.
In 2026, the course was completely redesigned and offers 18 regularity stages. Great novelty, they are now contested on closed roads! This upheaval, particularly desired by the competitors, guarantees a higher level of security and authenticity. The wearing of an approved C.E. helmets will be mandatory on all closed sections, for all pilots and co-pilots.
A general enthusiasm is felt among the competitors, including Bruno Saby, more than ever motivated following this change. « Since the roads are closed, I told myself that it was worth coming with a car that marked my career! »
Second important novelty, the expansion of the list of eligible vehicles. It now includes all the models that took part in the Rallye Monte-Carlo between 1911 and 1986. With all these developments, the Rally is reinventing itself but does not lose its iconic character.
As with the WRC, public areas will be set up. These will be marked with green netting or green barrier tape. It will be forbidden to stand behind the red barrier tape, which marks dangerous areas.
In the regularity stages, access to the events will be allowed up to two hours before the start of the first competitor if you are in a vehicle, or 30 minutes if you are on foot. And above all, marshals will be on hand to help you enjoy the event to the full!
Discover the maps to access the stages and the safety rules:
Throughout the week, you will have the opportunity to experience the 28th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique as if you were there. Several direct will be offered on the YouTube channel and the Facebook page of the Automobile Club de Monaco.
On Tuesday, February 3, two regularity stage departures will be offered: the first at 11:30 am from RS3 and then at 03:30 pm from RS5. On Wednesday 4 February, from 2:00 pm, you will be immersed in La Remise, in Antraigues-sur-Volane, which has become over the decades a highlight of the Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Finally, on Friday, February 6, a live broadcast will be launched at 6:00 pm from the Parc Fermé de Monaco, to follow the return of competitors before the famous “Night of the Turini”.
The 244 crews authorised to take part in the 28th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique have set off! Three days after John O’Groats, the competitors set off from Bad Homburg, Monaco, Barcelona, Turin and Reims on Sunday 1 February. They will meet on Monday afternoon at the Champ de Mars in Valence.
At 2:00 pm on Sunday 1 February, ten crews set off from Bad Homburg (Germany). They have 870 km to cover on this concentration stage to Valence. Among them are four crews competing with Norwegian Rally Drivers.
At the same time, 92 competitors set off from Monaco under the blue skies of the Principality. The competitors will have more than 550 km to cover to reach Valence, the prefecture of the Drôme. Among the notable competitors is, of course, Bruno Saby, winner of the 1988 Rallye Monte-Carlo and fresh from a new experience at the Dakar Rally. This year, he is competing in the legendary Renault 5 Turbo (1980), once again accompanied by his charity Espoir contre le Cancer.
Thirty minutes later, 26 cars set off from Barcelona, in front of the cathedral, and 55 from Turin, in front of the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi. From Spain, the departure of Antonio Sainz Cenamor (Porsche 911 S No. 113), brother of Carlos Sainz Sr., is worth noting. On the other side of the Alps, all eyes were on Angelo Sticchi Damiani (Fiat 124 Abarth No. 123), former president of the Automobile Club d’Italia.
Finally, at 5:00 pm, 56 competitors set off from Reims, including Takuma Sato (Honda Civic RS No. 1), former F1 driver between 2002 and 2008 and two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (2017 and 2020). Two-time title holders Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo of Belgium also set off from the historic capital of champagne. They are back in an Opel Ascona 400, the car they traded in last year for an Alfa Romeo Giulia TI.
Earlier in the week, five crews set off from John O’Groats in northern Scotland on Thursday 29 January. The starts were given by John Thurso, Lord Lieutenant of Caithness, representing His Majesty King Charles III.
A total of no fewer than 244 crews passed the administrative checks and scrutineering, and were authorised to take part in the 28th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. At the end of the concentration stage, they will all gather at the Champ de Mars in Valence on Monday 2 February at around 2:00 pm.
To follow the competitors’ arrival in Valence, a live stream will be available on the Automobile Club de Monaco’s YouTube channel. Join us at 4pm for the presentation of the 2026 Monte-Carlo Historic Rally from the Champ de Mars in Valence.
The big change for the 2026 edition is that the regularity stages will be held on closed roads. As a result, competitors will be required to wear an C.E.-approved helmets on closed-road sections.
As with the WRC, public areas will be set up. These will be marked with green netting or green barrier tape. It will be forbidden to stand behind the red barrier tape, which marks dangerous areas.
In the special stages, access to the events will be allowed up to two hours before the start of the first competitor if you are in a vehicle, or 30 minutes if you are on foot. And above all, marshals will be on hand to help you enjoy the event to the full!
The Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026 was one of the most demanding in recent years. Between snow, ice, rain, fog and mud, drivers faced extreme conditions throughout this 94th edition. In the end, it was the Solberg / Edmondson crew that came out on top.
When they set off on Thursday from Port Hercule in Monaco, the 66 competitors in the Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026 expected to encounter difficult conditions. But perhaps not to this extent. “It’s the most difficult rally in my life!” Even Oliver Solberg, winner of the Monte Carlo Rally, said so.
This 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo began in the night and fog, forcing race officials to stop SS3 for safety reasons. Then, Friday and Saturday were marked by snow, ice and mud, making the roads treacherous for many drivers.
Then, on Saturday evening, one of the highlights of the 2026 edition took place: the Super Special Stage, held on the Monaco Circuit. Won by Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria in torrential rain, it allowed more than 20,000 spectators to see a rally special stage with their own eyes, in an exceptional setting.
And on Sunday, with the legendary Col de Turini, snow-covered for the occasion, and tackled twice by the competitors. Thanks to the changing road conditions, a Rally3 (Matteo Fontana and Alessandro Arnaboldi‘s Ford Fiesta) won two consecutive special stages: a crazy Monte-Carlo from start to finish.
“I still can’t believe what’s happening. It’s been an emotional day.” Having just won the Rallye Monte-Carlo, Oliver Solberg is still coming to terms with his achievement. Even his father, Petter, the 2003 world champion, never managed this feat. “It’s very moving, it was extremely demanding and I was so stressed. I just want to say a huge thank you to Toyota for their trust and support. The teamwork was exceptional.” With this success, Oliver became the youngest driver to win Monte Carlo since… 1937.
The Solberg / Edmondson crew completely dominated the weekend, leaving the competition trailing in their wake. At Toyota, Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (2nd) and Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (3rd) were powerless to stop the Swedish driver’s momentum.
For Sébastien Ogier, this rally was more complicated than expected. For the first time since 2012, the nine-time world champion doesn’t start the season by finishing in one of the top two places on the podium. “It was a difficult weekend. I’m just happy to be back on the podium. Fifteen times in seventeen appearances… I can be proud of that,” he said at the finish of the Power Stage.
Between Yohan Rossel / Arnaud Dunand‘s accident (SS1) and Nikolay Gryazin / Konstantin Aleksandrov‘s crash (SS12), Lancia didn’t celebrate its return to the world championship as it would have liked. And yet, the Italian manufacturer performed well, winning nine special stages in WRC2 (seven for Rossel, two for Gryazin). Yohan Rossel even found himself in eighth place in the world championship thanks to the points he scored on ‘Super Sunday’.
With Lancia out of contention for the overall victory, Léo Rossel / Guillaume Mercoiret (Citroën) took advantage to dominate WRC2. Other French drivers also distinguished themselves by winning their categories: Eric Royère / Alexis Grenier (Ford) in WRC3, and Christophe Berard / Christophe Bernabo (Alpine) in RGT.
Despite the poor conditions, all the drivers enjoyed the route and the organisation of this 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo. Between the fabulous scenery, the superb roads and the spectacular Super Special Stage, there was something for everyone. The event was a huge success with the public, both in the French departments visited and in the Principality of Monaco itself.
Thanks to the exemplary work of the ACM marshals and the dedication of all the volunteers, the Rallye Monte-Carlo once again ran smoothly. It is increasingly establishing itself as a monument of motor sport, which will undoubtedly bring us more great editions in the future…
Leading the overall standings since SS2, Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson won their first Rallye Monte-Carlo, their second WRC victory in two races in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. They relegated the competition to more than 50 seconds behind them.
“I don’t think I’ve realised it yet. It’s been an emotional day. I would like to warmly thank Toyota for their confidence in us. The teamwork has been exceptional,” said Oliver Solberg at the finish of the Power Stage. The Swedish driver, in tears like his co-pilot Elliott Edmondson after their victory in the 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo, capped off an exceptional weekend in hellish conditions. Rain, fog, snow, ice, mud… The competitors in this ’Monte-Carlo’ experienced it all.
The son of Petter Solberg, 2003 World Rally Champion, becomes the first of his name to win Monte Carlo. This is a historic achievement not only for his family but also for Sweden, which has seen one of its drivers win the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time since 1971, when Ove Andersson triumphed at the wheel of an Alpine-Renault A110 1600S. Another notable historical point: Oliver is the youngest winner of the Rallye Monte-Carlo since René Le Bègue in… 1937!
Despite his lead in the overall standings, Oliver Solberg did not hold back: he had two close calls in SS15 and SS16. These minor mistakes ultimately had no consequences for the Swede, who did not crack under pressure from his Toyota Gazoo Racing teammates Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier. The Japanese manufacturer secured its first triple victory at Monte Carlo and continues to cement its dominance in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Behind the winners, Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (+ 51:8) and Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (+ 02:02.2) were unable to match Solberg’s speed. For the first time since 2013, the nine-time world champion finished neither second nor third. “It was a difficult weekend. I’m especially happy to be back on the podium,” said Ogier. “Oliver definitely did better than anyone expected. It’s good for the championship to have some new blood, and I’m looking forward to competing against him.”
Four in a row for the Rossel family! Léo Rossel, co-driven by Guillaume Mercoiret (Citroën C3 Rally2), won the WRC2 category, following in the footsteps of his brother, Yohan. The current Lancia driver had been unbeaten in this category for three years but quickly lost all hope of victory in the 2026 edition after a run-off road in SS1.
Léo Rossel and Guillaume Mercoiret then dominated their category, finishing well ahead of Roberto Daprà / Luca Guglielmetti (Škoda / + 2:09.5) and Arthur Pelamourgues / Bastien Pouget (Hyundai / + 5:11.0). “It’s really incredible. I’m just happy. A big thank you to my team, this is my first rally with them. This result is very important for my future,” said a jubilant Léo Rossel.
Starting at 4:30 p.m., the Prize-Giving ceremony, held at Port Hercule in Monaco, will be broadcast live on the Automobile Club de Monaco’s YouTube channel.
During the spectacular Super Special Stage (SSS13) held on part of the Circuit de Monaco, Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria thrilled spectators by winning the final stage of the day. Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson remain at the top of the overall standings ahead of the final day of the 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo.
It was the most anticipated event of the Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026. For the first time since 2008, a special stage was held at Port Hercule in Monaco, covering part of the legendary Circuit de Monaco. Featuring several chicanes and a ‘donut’, the route of this Super Special Stage (2,69km) offered spectators, who turned out in large numbers despite the rain, an evening they will remember.
Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria, thanks to a flawless performance in pouring rain, won their first special stage in this 2026 edition (02:19.3). It is also Hyundai’s first scratch time (compared to 12 for Toyota!) in this 94th edition. The French duo finished seven tenths of a second ahead of Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston (Toyota), followed in the standings by Thierry Neuville / Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai), Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais and Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (Toyota).
This special stage was mainly intended to entertain spectators in the Principality and had no impact on the overall standings, which are still dominated by three Toyota drivers. However, the leader, Oliver Solberg, did not shine, finishing 11th (+ 10.9) behind three drivers of the WRC2 category.
The Principality’s sumptuous setting has obviously attracted many sports stars. Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson, cyclists Tadej Pogačar and Chris Froome, and basketball player Elie Okobo were among those who took part in the ‘VIP Rides’ organised at the Circuit de Monaco Circuit an hour before the start of the Super Special Stage.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda also came to the Principality in person to celebrate this rally and motorsport event. He climbed aboard the Toyota Yaris GR Rally1 driven by his compatriot Takamoto Katsuta.
Opening at 11am on Saturday, Monaco’s Fan Zone welcomed increasing numbers of spectators during the day. Fans were able to enjoy a car exhibition, simulators, merchandising areas and catering facilities while they waited for the Super Special Stage to get underway.
The Rallye Monte-Carlo is far from over. Sunday’s stage, covering 71.90km in the Alpes-Maritimes, includes a loop of two special stages. The first is between Col de Braus and La Cabanette (SS14/16 – 12.50km – 8:05am / 11:09am). And the second, between La Bollène-Vésubie and Moulinet (SS15/17 – 23.45km – 9:35 a.m. / 1:15 p.m.), with its iconic Col de Turini, which is likely to be snow-covered tomorrow. The Power Stage will start at 1:15 p.m.
The entire Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026 can also be followed on our Live page so you don’t miss a thing.
