Monte Carlo Rally 2025: Your Ultimate Guide

The World Rally Championship is back, kicking off with the iconic Monte Carlo Rally, the crown jewel of the calendar and a litmus test for the 2025 pecking order. With a packed entry list, new twists, and a grueling route, this year’s event promises high drama from start to finish.

Entry Breakdown

• Total Crews: 70
• Rally1: 10
• Rally2: 32 (23 competing in WRC2)
• Rally3: 12 (8 competing in WRC3)

Key Highlights

1. World Champion Debut:
   Thierry Neuville, the reigning world champion, sports the coveted #1 on his Hyundai i20 N Rally1, headlining the field.
2. Toyota’s Five-Car Assault:
   The defending manufacturers’ champion deploys a formidable lineup:
   • Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä, and part-timer Sébastien Ogier will score points.
   • Takamoto Katsuta begins his full season but won’t contribute to team points.
   • Sami Pajari, 2024’s WRC2 champ, steps into Rally1 with the new Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 team.
3. M-Sport Ford’s Dual Puma Effort:
   • Grégoire Munster continues his tenure.
   • Josh McErlean makes his Rally1 debut.
4. WRC2 Favorites:
   • Nikolay Gryazin (Škoda) and Yohan Rossel (Citroën) resume their fierce rivalry.
   • Look out for wildcards like Roberto Daprà and Matthieu Margaillan.
5. WRC3 Battle Royale:
   • Defending champ Diego Domínguez (Ford) faces factory-backed challengers like Mattéo Chatillon (Renault).

Route Overview

• Total Stages: 18
• Competitive Mileage: 213.5 miles (longest since 2018)
• Shakedown: Wednesday afternoon

Thursday Evening: Opening Leg

• Stages: 3 (new twist, up from two)
• Highlights:
  • Digne-les-Bains / Chaudon-Norante: Opens the rally with a northbound run.
  • Overnight stop in Gap after Faucon-du-Caire / Bréziers and Avançon / Notre-Dame-du-Laus.

Friday: Northern Loops

• Stages: 3 (repeated for six total)
• Key Tests:
  • Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve and La Bréole / Selonnet return.
  • New: Saint-Maurice / Aubessagne.

Saturday: The Marathon

• Stages: 3 (repeated for six total)
• Total Mileage: 81.6 miles
• Notables:
  • La Motte-Chalancon / Saint-Nazaire: Longest test (16.7 miles).
  • Technical tests like Aucelon / Recoubeau-Jansac.

Sunday: The Finale

• Stages: 3 (including Power Stage)
• Total Mileage: 31.6 miles
• Deciders:
  • Re-runs of Avançon / Notre-Dame-du-Laus and Digne-les-Bains / Chaudon-Norante.
  • The curtain falls with La Bollène-Vésubie / Peïra-Cava Power Stage, offering bonus points.

What to Watch For

1. Neuville vs. Toyota Army:
   Neuville aims to defend his title, but Toyota’s star-studded roster, led by Evans and Rovanperä, is ready to challenge.
2. The Rise of WRC2:
   With a stacked field, expect fireworks from seasoned competitors like Gryazin and Rossel.
3. The Grueling Route:
   Monte Carlo’s weather and road conditions will test drivers’ adaptability, with mixed surfaces and unpredictable grip levels.
4. Power Stage Drama:
   Sunday’s finale could see crucial points exchanged, influencing both the rally and championship standings.

Monte Carlo always sets the tone for the season, and with a deep field, compelling rivalries, and a tougher-than-ever route, 2025 promises a thrilling start to the WRC season!