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.

Youth in power

“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.

Overall Standings

Difficult return for Lancia in WRC2, several French victories

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.

A remarkably demanding Monte Carlo

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…