For the 11th time, Gap will be the host town for this legendary event, for 4 days of racing on the winding roads of the Drôme, Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-Maritimes, which will keep spectators and crews on the edge of their seats.
The official start of the 94th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo is scheduled for Thursday 22 January at 14:00, from the podium ramp on the Quai Albert1er in Monaco. Without delay, the cars start the night rally with three special stages heading up towards Gap.
This is followed by two days of special stages, some of the most technical on the calendar, not least because of the uncertain weather and steep roads, requiring the greatest care and precision from the crews setting off at full speed.
The highlight of this year's event takes place in the late afternoon of Saturday 24 January: the super-special (project under study) - a first since 2008 - which sees the best drivers set the streets of the Principality of Monaco alight, on the lower part of the legendary Monaco circuit.
Teaser | Rallye Monte-Carlo WRC 2026
Col de Turini, the obligatory pass
Finally, to conclude on Sunday 25 January, there are two timed events to be contested twice, in the hinterland, totalling 71.62 kilometres. A final confrontation between the timed sectors of Col de Braus / La Cabanette and La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet, which passes over the famous Col de Turini, will serve as the Wolf Power Stage during the second passage. The final podium and prize-giving ceremony, held in Port Hercule, is scheduled to start at 5pm...
This special stage was run in the snow, at night and in the cold. Joy and despair, triumph and failure, the drivers experienced it all, and that's how this legend was born. For many years now, the Col de Turini has been the crowning glory of the Monte Carlo Rally.
Ogier becomes a legend
In 2025, Sébastien Ogier won his 10th Monte Carlo, his 62nd World Rally Championship victory and his 46th Power Stage. It was also his 106th WRC podium.
So many numbers that make Sébastien Ogier the undisputed master of this event.
What a weekend! We had so much heat. I think my lucky star followed me all the way to the end. It's that of my uncle, who died last year. This victory is for him
Sébastien Ogier
To maintain his status as the absolute reference in the world's most prestigious rally, Ogier had to battle for four days against three other world champions, Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak for Hyundai, and Kalle Rovanperä for Toyota. It was the strongest line-up in the Principality for almost 20 years.
It also featured two very tough drivers, Elfyn Evans(Toyota), runner-up four times in the last five years, and Adrien Fourmaux, Hyundai's newcomer, who kept up the suspense right up to the start of this final special stage, via the famous Col de Turini.
The WRC, a pioneer in sustainability
The 2022 Rallye Monte-Carlo was the first opportunity to see the new plug-in hybrid models, known as 'Rally1', in all their glory. The all-thermal model is a thing of the past.
The WRC is therefore a pioneer, being the first FIA world championship to introduce this new technology.
Jewel of the Championship
The Rallye Monte-Carlo is the oldest event on the calendar.
It was first held in 1911 to promote tourism in Monaco. Crews would set off from several European cities before gathering in the Principality.
The event was held in January to demonstrate that the Principality's climate at that time of year was exceptionally mild. Two men are considered today to be the creators of this rally: Gabriel Vialon and Antony Noghes. The Société des Bains de Mer financed the operation, which in its first year attracted just 23 competitors.
The following year, this figure was quadrupled: the Monte-Carlo Rally was launched!
Since the first winner in 1911, French driver Henry Rougier, we have been treated to thousands of thrills and spills on a sporting event of the highest order.
The 'Sebs': Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier have dominated the Rallye Monte-Carlo, with 8 wins for Sébastien Loeb and 10 wins for Sébastien Ogier, the winner in 2025! The Monegasque, Daniel Eléna, was Sébastien Loeb's loyal co-driver during his first 7 victories on the Monte, from 2003 to 2013.