Upcoming Events
Menu
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.
Despite a minor scare, Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson dominated Saturday morning before heading to the Principality to compete in the Super Special Stage at the Monaco Circuit. Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier follow in the overall standings, more than a minute behind the Swedish driver.
The first special stage on Saturday, between La Bréole and Bellaffaire, saw Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) clock his third fastest time in a row in this 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo and continue to close the gap on his teammates Oliver Solberg and Elfyn Evans.
The longest stage of the rally (29.93km) was covered in snow from start to finish at dawn when Ogier and his rivals set off. In these conditions of very limited grip, the Frenchman managed better than Evans, who was three seconds behind, and Solberg, who was twenty seconds behind.
The leader of the rally Oliver Solberg (Toyota) reacted well in the 11th special stage between Vaumeilh and Claret (15.06 km), making the most of his position on the road to set the fastest time and extend his lead over his two closest rivals, his teammates Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier, to over a minute.
“In the previous stage, I had absolutely no grip and could have gone off at any moment. In this one, I felt better and was still careful. I managed my tyres well and I’m happy to have regained a bit of a lead,” said the Swede at the stop point.
Oliver Solberg made a mistake in SS12 on Saturday afternoon, but his drive through a snow-covered field did not prevent him from setting the fastest time in this stage. “I’m doing well, I was lucky. I hit a snow-covered section and couldn’t avoid going off the road,” said the Swede after his mishap,
“I eased off the throttle, there was no point in taking risks in these conditions,” Ogier admitted at the stop point. The three Hyundai crews made mistakes but were able to continue, unlike Sami Pajari’s Toyota.
Saturday concludes with the spectacular Super Special Stage on the Monaco Circuit (SS13 – 2.69km – 6:35 pm).
The entire Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026 can also be followed live with commentary on our Live page so you don’t miss a thing.
The real surprise of the first day of the 94th Rallye Monte Carlo, Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson had a superb Friday to retain the lead in the overall standings. They are ahead of the two Toyotas driven by Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin and Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais.
The Oliver Solberg show continued on Friday morning, with the Swedish driver in his Toyota Yaris extending his lead over his main rivals by winning SS4, ably assisted by his co-driver Elliott Edmondson. The no.99 duo set a time 19.1 seconds faster than that of Thierry Neuville and Martin Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20).
“It’s a lot of work to keep the car on the road, but the conditions will improve during the day,” smiled Sébastien Ogier, who was more than 30 seconds behind Solberg but not worried about what was to come.
The Toyota drivers had mixed fortunes in SS5. Elfyn Evans set the fastest time in SS5 ahead of Sébastien Ogier, while Oliver Solberg, who suffered a puncture at the end of the stage, finished on the rim and lost 27 seconds to Evans, but still retains his overall lead. “I don’t know what happened or where I got the puncture, but it was a great stage,” said Solberg at the stop point.
“It’s rare to feel good at Monte Carlo,” said Evans, who set his second fastest time of the rally after SS1 on Thursday afternoon at the start of this 94th edition. In the chasing pack, just behind the leading trio, Thierry Neuville did not choose the right tyres for this stage and lost some time (nearly thirty seconds) to Sébastien Ogier.
The final stage of Friday morning (SS6, 17.8 km), contested in winter conditions with lots of wet snow on the climb between La-Bâtie-des-Fonts and Aspremont, allowed Oliver Solberg, who only had three studded tyres on his Toyota (following his puncture in SS5), to finish ahead of two Hyundai drivers, Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux.
By also beating his two Toyota teammates, Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier, by around 20 seconds, Oliver Solberg showed once again that he will be a force to be reckoned with in this 94th edition of the Rallye Monte Carlo.
Oliver Solberg, as calm and efficient as ever, set the fastest time on SS6 on Friday afternoon between Laborel and Chauvac-Laux-Montaux (17.95 km), on a road that was less slippery and less treacherous than on Friday morning. He once again finished ahead of his Toyota Gazoo Racing teammates, Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans, but by only two seconds.
At Hyundai, Adrien Fourmaux lost time because his hydraulic handbrake was broken. “In some hairpin bends, I had to put the car in reverse. We’ll try to fix it,” he told Canal +.
The one but last stage on Friday, between Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert and La Motte-Chalancon, allowed Sébastien Ogier to set the fastest time and to close half of the gap over its competitors. Oliver Solberg, started SS8 a few minutes after Ogier and Evans and suffered from poor visibility as night was falling over the Drôme region.
“I couldn’t see anything at first because it was raining, and then because night was falling,” Solberg summed up at the stop point. “I hadn’t put on my extra headlights,” lamented Ogier, who for the first time in the rally managed to gain over 15 seconds on Evans (16.2 to be precise) and Solberg (17.6) in a single stage.
Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) got his weekend off to a good start by winning SS9 (17.8 km), recording his second consecutive stage win. Ahead of his two Gazoo Racing teammates, Oliver Solberg, who remains in the lead, and Elfyn Evans, who now has only a six-second lead over the nine-time World Champion.
It was pitch dark and raining when Ogier finished SS9 with a smile, completing the second loop of a very difficult Friday for all drivers. His goal on Saturday will be to take second place from Evans. “It was still a question of survival, and there was a lot of mud on this stage,” Ogier said at the stop point. “I wasn’t brave enough,” lamented Evans, five-time WRC vice-world champion, including three times behind Ogier.
In the overall standings, Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson remain in the lead ahead of Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin and Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais at the end of the second day.
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠 / 𝐄𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 ! 🫵
⏱️ Avec plus d’une minute d’avance sur leurs poursuivants au classement général provisoire, le duo de chez @TGR_WRC conserve la tête après 9 spéciales disputées sur 17. Vos réactions 👇
—
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠 /… pic.twitter.com/nu7qFhi0iq
— Automobile Club de Monaco (@ACM_Media) January 23, 2026
Saturday will be one of the highlights of the 94th Rallye Monte Carlo. Three special stages are scheduled for the start of the day, including two runs of the longest stage of the rally, between La Bréole and Bellaffaire (SS10/12 – 29.93km – 8:31am / 12:31pm). The day will end with the spectacular Super Special Stage on the Monaco Circuit (SS13 – 2.69km – 6:35 pm).
The entire Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026 can also be followed live with commentary on our Live page so you don’t miss a thing.
What a start to the Rallye Monte-Carlo! After two crazy special stages, plus a third that was ultimately interrupted, the Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson crew reached Gap at the top of the overall standings. The duo in the No. 99 Toyota mastered all the difficult conditions encountered on Thursday.
Toyota Gazoo Racing put in a superb performance with a triple victory in the very first special stage, between Toudon and Saint-Antonin, in the Alpes-Maritimes. The duo in car no. 33, Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin, were the fastest (16’05”7) ahead of Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson (+05.6) and Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (+12.0).
“I did my best, but it wasn’t easy with this tyre choice,” said Elfyn Evans, who had opted for the same tyre strategy as Sébastien Ogier: two super-soft tyres crossed with two studded tyres. “It was difficult to find the right pace in these tricky conditions,” said the nine-time world champion.
Their main rivals opted for snow tyres in addition to their studded tyres, and this has already cost the Hyundai drivers time. Thierry Neuville (8th in Rally1) lost 43 seconds on this first special stage. Adrien Fourmaux (4th) limited the damage, finishing 19.9 seconds behind Evans and only 8 seconds behind Ogier.
The new Toyota Gazoo Racing duo, Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson, set a stunning time in SS2 on Thursday evening between Esclangon and Seyne-les-Alpes (23.8 km). The other big surprise of the early evening was the third place of Irish rookie Jon Armstrong in his M-Sport Ford Puma.
“I tried not to take too many risks, but every time I came into a corner, it was panic on board,” said the very talented son of Petter, the 2003 world champion in a Subaru, at the SS2 stop point. “It was the most difficult special stage of my life,” added Solberg Junior, who managed to beat Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin by more than 31 seconds on a road covered in slush, the worst kind of slush, much feared by drivers.
Behind Oliver Solberg and Elfyn Evans, who had taken the top two places in SS1, but in reverse order, the other drivers did everything they could to limit the damage, and the two Frenchmen, Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai) and Sébastien Ogier (Toyota), had to admit defeat to the rookie Armstrong, who is making his WRC debut in this Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Due to a number of spectators moving into unsafe positions at the edge of the stage between the passing of cars, and as a result of reduced visibility caused by heavy fog on Special Stage 3, the Clerk of the Course issued a red flag Only seven Rally1 cars crossed the line before the red flag was lowered. “These [road] conditions are crazy. I couldn’t see anything at the end. It was very dangerous,” said Thierry Neuville.
Thank you all for respecting the guidelines and authorised areas:
In the overall standings, Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson lead Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin at the end of this first day.
Classification
Tomorrow, a loop of three special stages will be completed twice: Laborel / Chauvac-Laux-Montaux (SS4/7 – 17.95km), Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert / La Motte-Chalancon (SS5/8 – 28.70km), the longest on Friday, and La-Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont (SS6/9), won last year by Takamoto Katsuta.
The entire Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026 can also be followed live with commentary on our LIVE page so you don’t miss a thing.
The 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo officially kicked off this Thursday at Port Hercule in Monaco, sending the 66 entered crews into an event that promises to be more demanding than ever. They immediately set off on the road section leading to today’s first three stages, scheduled between the Alpes-Maritimes and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
“It’s going to be very difficult”. The tone for this 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo was set by Sébastien Ogier, despite being a Monte-Carlo specialist of the event with 10 victories. On the start ramp, all the drivers mentioned the very tricky weather conditions they are about to face. “Conditions look really complicated for tonight. But it should be beautiful with the spectators in the dark and the snow”, explained Adrien Fourmaux.
Leaving at two-minute intervals, every Rally1 crew set off from Port Hercule in Monaco in front of a large crowd of spectators who turned out despite a few drops of rain. Tension was at its peak before heading out to the opening stages.
Before the Official Start of the first car, the Rally1 drivers soaked up the energy from the many fans gathered at the Fan Zone on Port Hercule. Featuring school visits, an autograph session, and official photos, spectators had the chance to get up close to their favorite drivers and cars just hours before the start.
Now it’s time for the competition, kicking off with a particularly difficult and demanding first stage between Toudon and Saint-Antonin (SS1 – 21.90km). Competitors will then head to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence to tackle two night stages: Esclangon / Seyne-les-Alpes (SS2 – 23.80km) and Vaumeilh / Claret (SS3 – 15.06km). Crews will need to keep a close eye on weather conditions, particularly at the summit of the Col du Fanget (featured in SS2), which could be icy or even snowy…
Découvrez le programme de cette 1ère journée du 𝟵𝟰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼 🚗
👉 Serez-vous au bord des spéciales aujourd’hui ? 🤩
—
Discover the programme for the first day of the 𝟵𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼 🚗
👉 Will you be out on the… pic.twitter.com/6kkUIgyFEG
— Automobile Club de Monaco (@ACM_Media) January 22, 2026
