[WRC] Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2026

[Morte66]

^H^H^H red flag

[CeskyOndra]

Should have been red flagged earlier.. Should have been cancelled at all.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Armstrong nearly a heavy crash.

[EstWRC]

For years we have had plain dry Monte and now with 3 stages we got everything we could ask

[PLuto]

Should have been red flagged earlier.. Should have been cancelled at all.

I dont agree. For me this is part of the rally - to be able to adapt to the conditions. It is too slippery? Slow down. There is a fog? Slow down...

[Morte66]

If anybody is not hearing the stage end interviews, Paddon said:
- he loves fog
- but this is too much fog
- even after he slowed right down for the red flag, he didn't know whether he was on the road or not

[Doon]

This is bullshit. Rallying is about driving to the conditions. Could have been a fun evening for spectators, but they ruined it.

[EstWRC]

I dont agree. For me this is part of the rally - to be able to adapt to the conditions. It is too slippery? Slow down. There is a fog? Slow down...

Cmon they could barely see the road. Not barely, they basically didn’t see it

Im also against canceling but this was too dangerous

[torsteinrp]

Cmon they could barely see the road. Not barely, they basically didn’t see it

Im also against canceling but this was too dangerousYou just need to drive slower then. I know a lot of rally drivers that would have loved to drive one of this cars in this conditions without complaining.

Sent fra min SM-S938B via Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville T.

"These conditions are crazy, very very dangerous. Any race would have been canceled. We should have stopped the stage before the fog came. Very very dangerous."

[EstWRC]

You just need to drive slower then. I know a lot of rally drivers that would have loved to drive one of this cars in this conditions without complaining.

Sent fra min SM-S938B via Tapatalk

And none of them wouldn’t have finished

And they did drive very slowly or you are saying they were fast?

[Rallyper]

RAC rally 1997: Burns took 60 s from Colin in a foggy stage. It´s just about bravery and good pacenotes. Men should be men.

Having said that, I´m aware of the difference today compared to RAC in the 90´s, but still. Rallying demands real men.

[becher]

Regarding the salting of the road in SS2, could it be to allow emergency vehicles to get through the stage? Like a few years ago in Monza where the outright canceled a stage for this reason.

[Morte66]

Regarding the salting of the road in SS2, could it be to allow emergency vehicles to get through the stage? Like a few years ago in Monza where the outright canceled a stage for this reason.

That would seem somewhat justifiable. Better than cancelling the stage because ambulances can't get down it, although the rally cars can.

But, if so, I wonder why they didn't salt the end, which (I think, anyone confirm?) was at altitude and would expect worse conditions.

[torsteinrp]

And none of them wouldn’t have finished

And they did drive very slowly or you are saying they were fast?No I did not say that they were driving fast but rallying is not always about driving fast. From the TV shots it seems like it was only about 1-2km at the end that was really bad. Will confirm later when the onboards are out.

Sent fra min SM-S938B via Tapatalk

[deephouse]

I wonder if all those who says that adaption is key, if anyone would seriously been hurt or even die, what would their opinion BE. It's also risk and what could happen that needs to be considered running those kind of stages in those conditions.

[Rallyper]

Rich Millener is a very sympathetic man.

[Walach]

RAC rally 1997: Burns took 60 s from Colin in a foggy stage. It´s just about bravery and good pacenotes. Men should be men.

Having said that, I´m aware of the difference today compared to RAC in the 90´s, but still. Rallying demands real men.

Quite a statement from someone who repeatedly mentioned here how dangerous is to drive modern rally cars at fast bumpy tarmac.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

After what Neuville said and views from the onboards, if there'd been a bad crash the Organisers would be in big trouble.

[PLuto]

Neuville T.

"These conditions are crazy, very very dangerous. Any race would have been canceled. We should have stopped the stage before the fog came. Very very dangerous."

Thierry was always complaining about everything...

[doubled1978]

Normally I would be against cancelling the stage, but that fog was extreme. There is a difference between mist and fog. Some of the onboards were ridiculous.

[PLuto]

That would seem somewhat justifiable. Better than cancelling the stage because ambulances can't get down it, although the rally cars can.

But, if so, I wonder why they didn't salt the end, which (I think, anyone confirm?) was at altitude and would expect worse conditions.

But in this case we can ask the question why they are organising the rally in winter when there is risk of snow and ice, when safety cars cannot go through?

[WRCStan]

I wonder if all those who says that adaption is key, if anyone would seriously been hurt or even die, what would their opinion BE. It's also risk and what could happen that needs to be considered running those kind of stages in those conditions.

These guys are blind to risk, responsibility, the law and having to explain personal actions in an inquiry. It's a null conversation at this point.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Thierry was always complaining about everything...

Most said the same, like...

"It's impossible to drive this one. Even with 50 kph you just don't know where to go."

[Morte66]

Normally I would be against cancelling the stage, but that fog was extreme. There is a difference between mist and fog. Some of the onboards were ridiculous.

I agree. I really enjoyed Monte with fog a few years ago, but this was too much at night.

[dimviii]

Fourmaux
https://www.facebook.com/groups/846657748844087/posts/3283518721824632/

[Morte66]

Fourmaux
https://www.facebook.com/groups/846657748844087/posts/3283518721824632/

He really got lost there. I was only half watching the onboard when that happened, but I got the feeling he opened the door to check whether he was on the road.

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9oK_jfhVZM&t=14s

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The CoC said the red flag was also due to spectators moving into unsafe positions as cars were running.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rallying UK @RallyingUK

✱ Time for some astonishing context...

Oliver Solberg has delivered a commanding opening act at Rallye Monte-Carlo. After day one, he sits atop the leaderboard with a formidable 44.2-second advantage - a margin that borders on extraordinary by modern standards.

For perspective, the leading margin at the end of day one over the past decade has rarely approached such territory: 2.0 seconds in 2025, 15.1 in 2024, 6.0 in 2023, 6.7 in 2022, 3.3 in 2021, 19.1 in 2020, 2.2 in 2019, 17.3 in 2018, and 7.8 in 2017.

In an event renowned for punishing unpredictability, Solberg has not merely taken control - he has redefined the opening pace.

[doubled1978]

He really got lost there. I was only half watching the onboard when that happened, but I got the feeling he opened the door to check whether he was on the road.

That clip shows that running the stage in this was nonsense. He literally doesn’t know where the road is. That isn’t motorsport.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sketchy corner for some and an off for McErlean...

https://x.com/RallysupportNL/status/2014434296015007994?s=20

[Odd]

My unpopular opinion is this.
We are looking for a world champion, ones that are worthy should be able to handle a dangerous situation or two.
I think its not only in Rallying that we have gone a bit too kindergarten. F1 also for an example, they rarely use rain tyres at all. I get the visibility aspect, I am a car driver myself, but i also know that there is always an option to stay cool and still drive through. Most of the times there is a possible speed that you can carry safely through in any conditions. If its slow then its slow, I mean nobody was going to send it there today anyway…what’s gonna happen at 30kmh?? Humankind need to man the f**k up a bit.

[macebig]

It's not about the drivers. It's just too much of a risk for spectators. WRC can't handle a car having an off and hitting spectators. Or even spectators getting in stage and run over. It's a big no no.

[becher]

But in this case we can ask the question why they are organising the rally in winter when there is risk of snow and ice, when safety cars cannot go through?

Reality isn't just black and white....

[becher]

My unpopular opinion is this.
We are looking for a world champion, ones that are worthy should be able to handle a dangerous situation or two.
I think its not only in Rallying that we have gone a bit too kindergarten. F1 also for an example, they rarely use rain tyres at all. I get the visibility aspect, I am a car driver myself, but i also know that there is always an option to stay cool and still drive through. Most of the times there is a possible speed that you can carry safely through in any conditions. If its slow then its slow, I mean nobody was going to send it there today anyway…what’s gonna happen at 30kmh?? Humankind need to man the f**k up a bit.

Visibility in circuit racing is a whole different matter, but you really really don't want cars hitting stationary cars because they couldn't see each other. Many people have lost their legs or even lives due to such accidents.

Key board warriors should stay a bit calm in such situations.

[Odd]

Might aswell close all mountain skiing resorts then, oh and ground all helicopters aswell.

[jcevc]

10:42,9 amended time for Jon...with that time from stewards he is losing third place after first day

[PLuto]

So final results after Leg 1 including notional times - https://rally-base.com/2026/rallye-monte-carlo-2026/?ssId=9240&ssGroupId=1

[WRCStan]

Might aswell close all mountain skiing resorts then, oh and ground all helicopters aswell.

Yes exactly, welcome to life. Resorts are shut and aircraft are regularly grounded due to weather. Recently a fire in a ski resort bar killed many people and brought in new laws preventing pyrotechnics indoors. Are you the guy that says they chose to be indoors? Or they died because they weren't man enough? Get real.

If the driver staying cool and going slow like you say gets shunted in the rear by the driver who 'manned up' and is going fast, and they get shunted off the road into the spectators stood in silly places and with many lives lost... then Monte Carlo will not run again, that is the reality. It'll be uninsurable even if the law continued to allow it especially if you were in the role and said 'everybody was acting like kindergartners'. You've delusional lack of reality that this isn't sim racing and should be ashamed of yourself.

We are hundreds or thousands of miles away and behind screens and keyboards, why you gotta argue with or known better than the people on the scene and in the roles assuming the risk who are saying it's too dangerous I don't know.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier in the media zone on the Hankook tyres...

“I experienced something I never experienced in my career. Or actually, maybe I did in 2014 when I started with slicks on snow. It felt the same, maybe,” Ogier said.

“I was supposed to have studded tyres, so that’s unbelievable. I repeat this because, for me, it’s not acceptable to get a product like this in a world championship. After one year of feedback where we’ve said we need to work on this and nothing is done – just a one-centimetre cut in the middle of the tyres. That’s a joke,”

[WRCStan]

But like Porter said at the stage, how did Evans make it work for him? Did Ogier do his part in the 'we need to work on this' - like some more winter rallies and testing with Hankook?

[PLuto]

Starting order to Leg 2 - https://rally-base.com/2026/rallye-monte-carlo-2026/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=1784

[Steve Boyd]

The issue that none of you have looked at is the event time schedule.

The section with SS3 is 41.16 km total distance, 15.06 km of that is the special stage. The time allowance for the section is 0h54, so the average speed for the whole section from the stage start to TC3A is 45.7 km/h. If the speed that the cars can average on the SS is less than 45.7 km/h then they need to average more than that on the liaison section to avoid penalties for being late at TC3A. If they are more than 30 minutes late then they are retired from that day of the rally.

Cancelling the stage is not just about safety on the stage but also about safety on the liaison sections.

[Odd]

Have a cup of tea mate. I was actually hinting at some known motorsport heroes with my examples.

As said, it was going to be unpopular opinion with a wider picture in mind than a rally stage. Mankind need to man up in every way, if you don’t see that then good luck.

I stand corrected because the stage was not actually cancelled due fog but spectators. Other than that i stand with my opinion.

[Dontcut]

I think most fulfiled guy from yesterday is Ott Tänak, who is chilling at home, enjoying himself and doesn't need to worry about this Hyundai shitshow.

[deephouse]

He is also probably frustrated on how Toyota wasn't interested in him, and now Solberg being so good straight away with them. Believe me, if Tanak wasn't rejected he would stay in WRC.

[denkimi]

But like Porter said at the stage, how did Evans make it work for him? Did Ogier do his part in the 'we need to work on this' - like some more winter rallies and testing with Hankook?
not just evans. they all had the same tyres for stage 2, 4 studs.

how did solberg make it work?

[archie106]

All drivers on at least 4 studs, from the hankook stage report looks like the stages are very tricky with a fair amount of snow and ice.

[Dontcut]

Starting order to Leg 2 - https://rally-base.com/2026/rallye-monte-carlo-2026/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=1784

What logic is used to creat this kind of road order? Okay, I get why Josh and Pajari go first, but why Jon is going last?

[eib1]

https://hankook-recce.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Rally-Monte-Carlo-2026-R1-Tyre-Choice-Section-2-SS4-SS6.jpg

[jcevc]

What logic is used to creat this kind of road order? Okay, I get why Josh and Pajari go first, but why Jon is going last?

Same question arise in my minds...if it is restart of day1 that all drivers should start as yesterday, if not, reverse order is only logic...?

[PLuto]

What logic is used to creat this kind of road order? Okay, I get why Josh and Pajari go first, but why Jon is going last?

It was in regulations - order will stay same like on Friday. Only retired crews were moved to the front.

[Rallyper]

Quite a statement from someone who repeatedly mentioned here how dangerous is to drive modern rally cars at fast bumpy tarmac.

True. But the speed in foggy conditions isn´t 190+ kph.

[CeskyOndra]

This will be a long day for the crews

[Morte66]

It does my heart good to watch this morning, with the 400hp cars slipping and sliding and Ogier drifting off the road to get traction in the snow. This is the Monte I have missed the last few years.

[meh]

I need to admit that it is a way more relaxed feeling to follow rallying if Tänak is not part of it. Just watching what is coming, and no worries and excitement involved.

[Rallyper]

Everyone holding their breath right now.

[EstWRC]

Ogier seems so lost with the Hankook studded tyre. Very weird

[meh]

Solberg fully on it again, 5 sec fastest in split 2

[TypeR]

Ogier seems so lost with the Hankook studded tyre. Very weird
Seems like they shouldn't have cancelled the full snow test day..

Solberg did they test rally in snowy slippery conditions..

[EstWRC]

Ok seems the conditions are also getting better again for later starters

[240RS]

What a shame we will miss what would have been an epic Solberg-Rovanpera era. . . .

[meh]

What a shame we will miss what would have been an epic Solberg-Rovanpera era. . . .

I think Rovanperä and Tänak are watching this and feeling relieved that they will not get embarrassed by Solberg :)

[EstWRC]

This is one of the most unbelievable performances I have ever seen from a driver

I don’t even care if Oliver bins it now but this has been just pure magic so far

[EstWRC]

I think Rovanperä and Tänak are watching this and feeling relieved that they will not get embarrassed by Solberg :)

Well, unfortunately we won’t never find this out

[denkimi]

This is one of the most unbelievable performances I have ever seen from a driver

I don’t even care if Oliver bins it now but this has been just pure magic so far
It starts to look like Loeb in his prime.

But i'm worried that solberg might crash. There's no need for him to push this hard.

[EstWRC]

Toyota should finally realize there’s no point to keep Katsuta anymore

[denkimi]

Toyota should finally realize there’s no point to keep Katsuta anymore
Untill they find a better japanese driver, Katsuta will stay. He doesn't have to be good, he just needs to be japanese.

[Jewy46]

This is nothing short of incredible. Hats off to Oliver Solberg!

And one must remember that this is totally being done on car control, which is why Armstrong and Evans were brilliant last night too. Brilliant car control.

The onboards from SS2 last night were fantastic, watching the drivers dance with the cars in those conditions

[skarderud]

Fantastic performance from solberg, much better than expected. Funny ogier bitching on the tyres, he hasent done his homework and trying to blame the teacher.

Where is the guys telling oliver was a bluff and just talented in the name when he was sacked from hyundai now?

Keep thinking of all the years in hyundai, the fundamentally lost teamstrategy and all the sacked drivers that ruined theire career in that piece of shit.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[Rallyper]

It starts to look like Loeb in his prime.

But i'm worried that solberg might crash. There's no need for him to push this hard.

He has had it, since he was a youngster. I admit that I was wrong on him starting too early, which I thought was good by then. And maybe it was, but in the way he got a wake up call to learn more in Rally 2 first.

We saw already last year what he can do, and tests before this season have seen very good.

So now we have a matured complete rallydriver on top level in Oliver Solberg. Even if he don´t finish RMC, we know what to come over the season.

[CeskyOndra]

Is it worth risking super softs for SS5? First part is apparently dry, towards the end there are some icy corners

[meh]

I'm not going to the "told you so," but one thing is for sure - Solberg is a character and the quality the championship needs at the moment to stay in the picture and keep the audience. Tänak and Rovanperä are stars to be missed by their fanbase, and to not lose those fans completely from the audience, Solberg may be the key. Also, additionally, the same top-tier drivers (Rovanperä-Tänak-)Ogier-Neuville-Evans have been in the picture for 10 years, and if not including Rovanperä, there have been no big changes for a long time. Hopefully we'll get some fresh era now.

[becher]

I need to admit that it is a way more relaxed feeling to follow rallying if Tänak is not part of it. Just watching what is coming, and no worries and excitement involved.
Haha good on you.

[EstWRC]

Hyundais again nowhere when the stages are wet not icy

[CeskyOndra]

That is some tricky corner

[becher]

These roads are just beautiful.

[denkimi]

seems like it's only ogier, evans and solberg who can do well. and neuville occasionally, despite driving a hyundai.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg probably started managing his lead now.

[meh]

Solberg probably started managing his lead now.

No, puncture.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ahh puncture.

[CeskyOndra]

Huge time differences on the start

[EstWRC]

Because they are driving in a line in that snowy part

Gets faster with each car

[meh]

"Fans" are throwing mud on the road... f*ckng morons, not fans.

[skarderud]

"Fans" are throwing mud on the road... f*ckng morons, not fans.Always done that in monte, mostly snow though.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[jonkka]

Always done that in monte, mostly snow though.

Tradition, yes but still it's not an acceptable excuse to justify that idiotic practice.

[PLuto]

"Fans" are throwing mud on the road... f*ckng morons, not fans.

Not only fans, but also each rally car when cutting...

[denkimi]

Always done that in monte, mostly snow though.


indeed. if we forget he retired with a broken alternator, ogier lost the rally in 2010 due to people throwing snow on the stage.

[meh]

First part is getting so much faster than Rally2 cars are faster than Rally1 cars. Dapra with the best time at the moment.

[M3 Jambo]

He has had it, since he was a youngster. I admit that I was wrong on him starting too early, which I thought was good by then. And maybe it was, but in the way he got a wake up call to learn more in Rally 2 first.

We saw already last year what he can do, and tests before this season have seen very good.

So now we have a matured complete rallydriver on top level in Oliver Solberg. Even if he don´t finish RMC, we know what to come over the season.

20th July 2025, 11:24#346
Rallyper Rallyper is offline
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WRC history was made today. Great performance from Oliver and Elliot. Smart driving and still fast(est) paid out fully.

Let´s wait for next chapter.
"Reis vas pät pat kaar vas kut"

The next chapter is looking rather promising. Way more impressive than Rovanpera thus far IMO

[JAM]

This year we are seing a proper Monte Carlo where even Ogier is facing challenges.
I missed this and i'm happy to see how Monte Carlo is going.

Oliver Solberg is in a rally apart from the others.
Elfyn Evans is doing a excelent rally.
Seb Ogier is proving, again, that when things go worng he lost his head.

Hyundai are on their own league stucked in problems and lack of performance. At least they are having, until now, reliability.
And talking abou Hyundai, who tought that put Hayden Paddon for the first time with a Rally1 in Monte was good ideia? He made this rally for the first time in 2017... Sordo and Lappi would have been a much clever choice.

A last word for MSport Ford, Armstrong proving that one of the problems of the team, besides de lack of money, is the lack of talent behind the wheel.

[Tom206wrc]

Citroën - Lancia - Skoda is the current classification in WRC2 after six stages :cool:

[PLuto]

Unfortunately SS 7 mostly wet with some mud. Temperature is too high...

[TypeR]

Same like yesterday, rules don't apply to some rallies.. spectators so close that they can touch cars and all good..


On the other hand, when in some rallies people are 10-20m away and oh nooo cancel cancel red flag..

But short answer - France.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_WmImtbMAAOOQw?format=jpg&name=small

[Morte66]

Fourmaux no brakes, had to reverse in the hairpins, says they can fix it.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg is managing now... and still fastest.

[EstWRC]

Tänak is having a laugh at home

[Fast Eddie WRC]

6th fastest for Armstrong with a puncture is good going.

[Tom206wrc]

Once again in SS7, Yohan's younger brother Léo is showing the others in WRC2 his leading is rather deserved :D

Surprised Nikolay Gryazin can't be faster than him with his amount of experience :confused:

[doubled1978]

Putting Paddon in for Monte is obvious. Sordo hates it, and they don’t want to compromise Lappi’s road position for Sweden by having him score a few points here. Better to let Paddon have the seat time, score a few points, but by the time he gets back in the car, he will still be at the back and in a position to use his road position.
It’s not about maximising this rally for them.

[Lead]

Pajari is nowhere

[denkimi]

Putting Paddon in for Monte is obvious. Sordo hates it, and they don’t want to compromise Lappi’s road position for Sweden by having him score a few points here. Better to let Paddon have the seat time, score a few points, but by the time he gets back in the car, he will still be at the back and in a position to use his road position.
It’s not about maximising this rally for them.
Neither sordo nor paddon are obvious choises. One has gotten old and slow, and the other has no more relevant experience in the wrc.

They should have hired rossel or gryazin.

[denkimi]

Neither sordo nor paddon are obvious choises. One has gotten old and slow, and the other has no more relevant experience in the wrc.

They should have hired rossel or gryazin.
Or if just for monte, they should have hired loeb.

[trykmann]

Neither sordo nor paddon are obvious choises. One has gotten old and slow, and the other has no more relevant experience in the wrc.

They should have hired rossel or gryazin.

They might have the speed, put reliability wise Sordo usually brings it home in a decent place. This rally also Yohan Rossel already made a mistake and is not able to compete for good overall place anymore.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier finally pulling time back.

Also 2 Hyundai's have time penalties.

[trykmann]

Ogier finally pulling time back.

Also 2 Hyundai's have time penalties.

Two?

[jonkka]

Two?

Paddon and Fourmaux both got 30 secs.

[JAM]

They should have hired rossel or gryazin.

Rossel or Gryazin? Are ou serious?

The ones that already made mistakes costing time in this rally? It would have been so nice...

[erikli2]

I think Oliver should stop with these small excuses all the time, especially when leading :p

[JAM]

Putting Paddon in for Monte is obvious. Sordo hates it, and they don’t want to compromise Lappi’s road position for Sweden by having him score a few points here. Better to let Paddon have the seat time, score a few points, but by the time he gets back in the car, he will still be at the back and in a position to use his road position.
It’s not about maximising this rally for them.

It's a good point of view, but a little bit on the risky side for them.

To Sordo would be good to have some points to the starting order in Croatia or Canarias

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Poor coverage in this rally so far, not showing so many incidents live and hardly any stage side cameras.

[EstWRC]

I think Oliver should stop with these small excuses all the time, especially when leading :p

Exactly. Getting a little cocky already

[NoBudgetWRT]

Imo Paddon should have stayed away from Rally1

[denkimi]

Rossel or Gryazin? Are ou serious?

The ones that already made mistakes costing time in this rally? It would have been so nice...
Gryazin is just 1,5 minutes behind paddon right now.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gutted for Jon Armstrong getting a puncture and having to stop and lose loads of time. He was catching Paddon again showing he would've done a good time otherwise.

[NoBudgetWRT]

Gutted for Jon Armstrong getting a puncture and having to stop and lose loads of time. He was catching Paddon again showing he would've done a good time otherwise.

A really positive surprise. Better performence then Josh had

[Morte66]

There is still time for everybody else to get punctures and even things out.

[Dontcut]

Imo Paddon should have stayed away from Rally1
Name a part time driver in Hyundai after Loeb and Sordo who has made descent result(s)?
1. Lappi.
That's the list.
It's terrible car to drive and lower your confidence.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The conditions have counted against Paddon. A dry rally and he'd have done much better.

[EstWRC]

Evens I could see he was going too fast there

I’m hoping Msport gets proper drivers for next year

[Tom206wrc]

Crazy time by Eric Camilli on SS8 :crazy:
Now he's back second WRC2 30" behind Léo Rossel ;)

[jonkka]

Neuville off.

[Morte66]

He really explored that ditch.

[denkimi]

The conditions have counted against Paddon. A dry rally and he'd have done much better.
I'm not sure about that. Paddon just has no experience here. He basically has driven here once, 10 years ago. In 2017 he did the recce, but had a fatal accident on the first stage and retired.

Even in the dry he would have had a tough time.

[EstWRC]

Ogier finally woke up today, very strong afternoon

To be honest he was hindered a lot by his road position yesterday and today morning

[Morte66]

I think Paddon is not doing great but not actually terrible either. He's seventh, and if Neuville/Fourmaux went out he'd be 6th, which is ok for a third driver in a second rate team in his first drive in the car.

[EstWRC]

Hats off to Katsuta to survive this

[Tom206wrc]

Neuville off.

Same for Josh McErlean :s

[becher]

It's only friday, but so far Lancia is the only manufacturer with a 1-2-3 on the Monte?

[imskln]

vw 2015

[becher]

vw 2015

Ohh well I completely forgot about those years....

[jonkka]

And Renault-Alpine in 1973 and Audi in 1984 and Citroen in 2003.

[becher]

vw 2015
...and forgot about Citroen in 03.

[WRCStan]

Ford 2022

[EstWRC]

Ford 2022

What?

[jonkka]

Ford 2022

That was Ford-Toyota-Ford.

[WRCStan]

Loading this forum is haemorrhaging time

[Tom206wrc]

Less than 2" between Camilli and Gryazin in WRC2...tomorrow fight will continue ;)

[Eli]

Name a part time driver in Hyundai after Loeb and Sordo who has made descent result(s)?
1. Lappi.
That's the list.
It's terrible car to drive and lower your confidence.

Breen if only for one rally, truly sad he’s gone now…

[becher]

What?
Maybe in WRC3

[doubled1978]

They probably through it wouldn’t be enough points to make much difference after the others have done Sweden and Safari. Also, Canarias doesn’t matter about road position, might even be better to be further back with rubber on the road and no cutting.
As others have said, they could have picked a Loeb or whatever for this rally, but nobody would be beating the front 3 Toyotas, so with AF and TN 4th and 5th, if Paddon gets ahead of Armstrong, that’s all anyone else would be allowed to do anyway.

[speederbee]

I doubt Loeb would agree to drive that thing. Realistically, if he wanted to drive a rally car, he would've been doing so already.

If he called up any of the teams and said he'd drive their car, they're not going to say no, are they?

[JAM]

Gryazin is just 1,5 minutes behind paddon right now.

With a Rally2 car and with orders to attack, with a Rally1 would be another story with orders to finish.

[JAM]

They probably through it wouldn’t be enough points to make much difference after the others have done Sweden and Safari. Also, Canarias doesn’t matter about road position, might even be better to be further back with rubber on the road and no cutting.


Before Canarias we have Croatia

[mknight]

A year and a half ago Hyundai said they would for the future always avoid things like Lappi (in Latvia) and Mikkelsen (in Monte).

Meaning part time driver starting a rally with little to no prep.

Last year Fourmaux got a test rally before Monte as only Hyundai driver and because of that had actually advantage vs other Hyundai as only one with Hankook experience.

Now this year they are back to the old ways. Paddon who last drove Monte 9 years ago gets a minimal test. No surprise it goes like this.

[tbazsi95]

M-Sport Recce cars had tough day, 2 Focus RS went to the ditch during reconnaissance

[deephouse]

Starting order: so again some events have their own rules?

Wow, Solberg. I admit, I thought he would be one-off kid in Estonia last year. But driving this awesone on Monte... MONTE... Beating the most experienced and the best driver ever on this roads... And also considering he was ''avoiding'' tarmac rallies for some years now. Hats off. He deserves to win this.

As the Evans... Again. Great drive... at the start and slowly losing ground towards the end. Ogier will grind him all over again... As always.

Neuville somehow it seems is the luckiest bastard again. In funny tone. So much troubles and nowhere in speed but being so high on leaderboard. It would not surprise me if he would end on podium.

As the middle pack. Nothing special. Paddon maybe too careful, but he have bitter memories on that rally and sure doesn't want to experience that all over again. As him being picked for this rally. Of course that Sordo would be better, but what could he do better? Being better that Neuville and Fourmaux? They are in the middle and currently a long way from podium and if nobody out of front will make any mistake, it would be crazy unrealistic to decrease that gap, that both have.

And we are with Lancia and their debut. I honestly expect more from them, but right now Gyrazin is doing great job. Monte was always hard to win, and french specialists was always good there (just like Finland). So if he end up in podium it will be good for the team and also him. I believe that Leo and Camilli will not have this rich campaign as Lancia. I think the most angry here is his teammate, because he was always so competitive against him, that he would do anything just to be infront of him.

Oh I forgot to mention Munster. He deserves a word as this is probably his last WRC event. Sorry for his fans, but he once again proving he is not the right person for WRC.

[PLuto]

Starting order to Leg 3 - https://rally-base.com/2026/rallye-monte-carlo-2026/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=1785

[Sulland]

78 SS km on saturday is not much......
They could have added 2 more SS, with aprox 20 km on each.

[bearclaw]

78 SS km on saturday is not much......
They could have added 2 more SS, with aprox 20 km on each.

yes, there would be time for one or two more special stsages on the way back to monte carlo. but i guess, they don't want to delay the itinerary for the super special if something happens.

a picture of a beautiful snow-covered road with a salting snowplow was posted in a facebook group. I don't understand it.

[EstWRC]

Delay for 15 minutes

And what is this Saturday? Only WRC can shoot himself to the foot

[PLuto]

78 SS km on saturday is not much......
They could have added 2 more SS, with aprox 20 km on each.

It is because moving whole circus from Gap to Monaco and evening (for me stupid) Monaco SSS. Because of this stage, whole afternoon of rallying is sacrificied...

[dimviii]

Solberg ss 2 onboard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyPRlMws-H4

[TypeR]

3.5 stages today and big delay already.. amazing

[EstWRC]

It is because moving whole circus from Gap to Monaco and evening (for me stupid) Monaco SSS. Because of this stage, whole afternoon of rallying is sacrificied...

It’s utterly stupid…

But hey, we are taking about WRC here which never manages to disappoint in a bad way

[EstWRC]

For sure these conditions will get faster and faster with each car

Oliver again in a good place but he has been fastest on the snow and ice anyway this week, winning in double figures others

[Eli]

It is because moving whole circus from Gap to Monaco and evening (for me stupid) Monaco SSS. Because of this stage, whole afternoon of rallying is sacrificied...

Utter stupidity, but what else is new? Once in 8 (I do recall 2018 being as close to as these conditions as now) years we have this and no afternoon….

[CeskyOndra]

Could be getting worse? McErlean still setting a good pace

[TypeR]

Would used studs make any sense? Little bit more out of the tyre..?

[CeskyOndra]

Ogier going for the win..

[EstWRC]

Oliver actually one of the slowest. Very weird

Ok he has a margin but still

[bearclaw]

hmm. what do you guys think? It looks odd to me. they'd need better tires for these conditions. they're sometimes just crawling around. wasn't there a tire in the IRC time with a cut-out stripe in the middle?! ...for so much snow and ice, it looks kind of strange.

imagine six special stages with snow and ice using these tires, or snowfall during the day. they have to cancel the special stages because they can't get through. don't get me wrong, I love these conditions, these pictures, but they'd need better tires for this...

[trykmann]

Oliver actually one of the slowest. Very weird

Ok he has a margin but still

With this kind of loss the margin goes away quickly.

[dimviii]

do we have the tyre choices for today?

[erikli2]

do we have the tyre choices for today?

All with 6x studs acc. to https://ewrc-results.com/event/96179-rallye-automobile-monte-carlo-2026/results/505365 (except Josh who has 5x)

[CeskyOndra]

Ogier could be in the lead after this stage

[EstWRC]

Thai is for sure Pajaris last season in Toyota

The guy doesn’t progress at all. Going backwards even

[trykmann]

Thai is for sure Pajaris last season in Toyota

The guy doesn’t progress at all. Going backwards even

Amazing to be 1:07 slower than Taka with similar starting position.

[jonkka]

Evans is fighting back - or Ogier is losing his magic.

[EstWRC]

Evans is fighting back - or Ogier is losing his magic.

Solberg also now getting time back

[jonkka]

Amazing to be 1:07 slower than Taka with similar starting position.

When you're 15mins behind Munster and 10mins ahead of McErlean, what's the point of going flat out and risk everything - for no gain?

[PLuto]

How ridiculous. Most interesting and beautiful stage of the rally and they are leaving live just after Solberg...

[PLuto]

do we have the tyre choices for today?

https://i.imgur.com/wKRbkZhl.jpeg

[PLuto]

How ridiculous. Most interesting and beautiful stage of the rally and they are leaving live just after Solberg...

Thanks god they are back.

[dimviii]

Gryazin took 25 sec from Rossel,and now is second overall 15,7 sec from Rossel.

[Rallyper]

There´s more coverage now, I think

[Rallyper]

How ridiculous. Most interesting and beautiful stage of the rally and they are leaving live just after Solberg...

They are back

[COD]

Thai is for sure Pajaris last season in Toyota

The guy doesn’t progress at all. Going backwards even

First rally of the season and probably the hardest one for him anyway, so I would not make decisions based on that. For sure he needs to improve on the difficult condicions in every rally, but we should judge him later in the seson.

[CeskyOndra]

If Solberg wins there, he is still favourite to win in Sweden despite his starting position, as Evans won from first on the road last year and Solberg is a well-known king of winter rallies..

[Eli]

Yohan with the fastest time while he’s still ill and had a puncture to carry for the last 5 kilometres, not too bad, shame about that mistake on Thursday.

[trykmann]

It seems Lancia can be satisfied with their debut. Let's see how they compare on gravel, but here they have the speed.

[Dontcut]

Watching SS10, I swear to god I would be on the same tempo with my car on proper Continental road legal studs.

They don't use the same tyres in Sweden, aren't they?

[jparker]

How ridiculous. Most interesting and beautiful stage of the rally and they are leaving live just after Solberg...
Could you imagine what kind of sick people are involved in our beloved sport?

[Eli]

Jon Armstrong really impressing, I have to say, shame the Puma isn’t a fully backed Ford but still, top job.

[Rallyper]

Watching SS10, I swear to god I would be on the same tempo with my car on proper Continental road legal studs.

They don't use the same tyres in Sweden, aren't they?

No, sweden they have proper studs, like 7-8 mm

[denkimi]

When you're 15mins behind Munster and 10mins ahead of McErlean, what's the point of going flat out and risk everything - for no gain?
He's not in the running for any points at this moment. He isn't risking everything, because he has nothing left to gain.

All he can do is set fast times to show himself, but he's doing the opposite.

[trykmann]

I also think is it time for Pajari to some speed in all different conditions. In 2024 he was a direct comparison to Solberg and won the WRC2 title, also he has had already on complete season in the Rally1 car.

[PLuto]

On the other hand, Pajari never liked Monte and was not super fast there...

[EstWRC]

On the other hand, Pajari never liked Monte and was not super fast there...

Yeah I get that but my conclusion is based more on last season and not with this Monte.

I remember only couple of times where he showed something last year but mostly he was also nowhere

Let’s see how he will do on next rallies. He definitely must up his level now with full season behind him.

His case seems similar to Lappi, entered the series very strongly and debut rallies were impressive but doesn’t progress really after that.

[dimviii]

did you see Johan Rossel time?

[Eli]

did you see Johan Rossel time?

That's literally what I wrote two(?) pages ago.

[jcevc]

That's literally what I wrote two(?) pages ago.

dimviii refers to the SS11 probably, where Rossel scored 2. in general...1,1 behind Solberg.

[Eli]

dimviii refers to the SS11 probably, where Rossel scored 2. in general...1,1 behind Solberg.

Oh sorry, my bad, good Lancia. Btw, did anyone notice on the doors all it's championships are written with the last one in 1992 and then the row beneath it had 3 dots?

[COD]

Saturday best day to watch it and they have three proper stages and long gap and then one super. No wonder popularity goes down

[PLuto]

dimviii refers to the SS11 probably, where Rossel scored 2. in general...1,1 behind Solberg.

Matteo Fontana 3rd overall with Rally3...

[PLuto]

Saturday best day to watch it and they have three proper stages and long gap and then one super. No wonder popularity goes down

Whole schedule and TV production is much lower than it can be...

[Morte66]

Saturday best day to watch it and they have three proper stages and long gap and then one super. No wonder popularity goes down

It's really shocking. I thought I was reading the schedule wrong at first.

This is taking the piss.

[TypeR]

SS12
5 studs -
Evans
Ogier
Neuville
Munster
Paddon
McErlean
Armstrong

6 studs-
Solberg
Pajari
Fourmaux
Katsuta

[EstWRC]

Yeah I get that but my conclusion is based more on last season and not with this Monte.

I remember only couple of times where he showed something last year but mostly he was also nowhere

Let’s see how he will do on next rallies. He definitely must up his level now with full season behind him.

His case seems similar to Lappi, entered the series very strongly and debut rallies were impressive but doesn’t progress really after that.

And manages even to crash with that speed

[WRCStan]

He should get away with it.
Oh he's hit the tree.
So what happened there was...

[EstWRC]

That as inevitable

[Morte66]

If somebody goes off in the same place as Paddon, they can play billiards with the cars.

[TypeR]

Wow, Paddon managed to get out from there.. but front grill is packed with snow, will overheat

[CeskyOndra]

No grip at all with these tires.. Wow what will Evans and Ogier do in there

[Rallyper]

Fourmaux LRR wheel is damaged.

[Rallyper]

Fourmaux RR wheel is damaged.

[jonkka]

He's not in the running for any points at this moment. He isn't risking everything, because he has nothing left to gain.

All he can do is set fast times to show himself, but he's doing the opposite.

That's not everything, he also needs to learn stages and conditions. Crashing now would be counterproductive on that regard, setting fast times would prove nothing to nobody, he's already has contract and can prove himself on rallies which he knows and can do well.

[trykmann]

That's not everything, he also needs to learn stages and conditions. Crashing now would be counterproductive on that regard, setting fast times would prove nothing to nobody, he's already has contract and can prove himself on rallies which he knows and can do well.

This kind on strategy would be smart, if he hadn't have been miles away with his pace compared to drivers with similar experience.

[EstWRC]

Ogier doesn’t like the slushy conditions at all

[becher]

McErlean is half finish?

[Rallyper]

Fourmaux RR wheel is damaged.

Obviously not. It looked so for some moments after his wide going.

[BlueStrike]

Absolute horror show of a weekend for Pajari, getting shown up by Solberg again. Might be a very long year ahead for him.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg wow !

[TypeR]

Conditions terrible, conditions so slippery, conditions so bad, wrong gravel crew notes, undriveable..

Je sus, it is proper rally Monte-Carlo..
Imagine if they didn't have gravel crew.. they would ask most stages ro cancel

[EstWRC]

Some lucky spectators there

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Still fastest !!

[TypeR]

Solberg super lucky not to get stuck on the bottom of the car.. and jumping back om the road, hopefully not damaged the cooling

[TypeR]

Remind me of Tanak's golden times, when he was winning stages by huge margins :D

[Morte66]

Alas, my man Gryazin is well off in an area with not many spectators.

[meh]

I hope Jürgenson reach to finish with that pace, 3rd O/A in split 10.

edit: ... and based on maps, seems to be stopped between split 12 and 13. ****

edit2: just the car gave up, engine failure.

[Morte66]

I note one Anthur Pelamourges doing well in WRC2. It looks like this is his first time in WRC2, and he got something in the French amateur trophy last year. https://ewrc-results.com/profile/248976-arthur-pelamourgues? Bon chance, bon courage, mon brave.

[WRCStan]

See that Solberg replay, 3 blokes on the bend. One man running for his life falls over while the two men holding invincibility devices were fine.

[EstWRC]

Damn Jürgenson, why?

[Eli]

Imagine if we had 3/4 more stages today before heading to Monaco tomorrow, instead of this…absolute waste…

[TypeR]

Damn Jürgenson, why?

On the other hand, showed proper speed on this one and will only miss tonight mickeymouse

[EstWRC]

On the other hand, showed proper speed on this one and will only miss tonight mickeymouse

Just a kilometer left and why he drove that fast

Anyway, was nice till then

[meh]

Just a kilometer left and why he drove that fast

Anyway, was nice till then

Calm down (on the reason), engine failure.

[EstWRC]

Some things never change…

[erikli2]

Paddon almost crashed into Pajari:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1962392544629881

[jcevc]

Yohan Rossel will be soon in the points for WRC2...with three SS missed.

[dimviii]

Sarrazin
https://www.facebook.com/groups/257661263014826/permalink/1207111348069808/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=jtDKmHmkmxkALCsW&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2 Fv%2F1DgrokdKDg%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#

[Coach 2]

Paddon almost crashed into Pajari:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1962392544629881

Even after the audience tries to warn and slow him down in the turn before.

[Coach 2]

Sarrazin
https://www.facebook.com/groups/257661263014826/permalink/1207111348069808/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=jtDKmHmkmxkALCsW&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2 Fv%2F1DgrokdKDg%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#

Isn't this the same bridge that has brought down many over the years?
If it is, the pacenotes should contain this information.

[PLuto]

Lot of action, really beautiful weather conditions, middle of Saturday so potentially plenty of spectators. But competition today is over in reality, missing only "useless" city SSS in the evening. What a missed opportunity to attract people...

[CeskyOndra]

Tomorrow will be very difficult with probably all stages covered in snow and ice and no tyre fitting zone?

[Coach 2]

Are there the same regulations for studded tires in all French races in the winter (asphalt/gravel) as there are in RAM-C?
If so, do other countries in the region (on the continent) have the same or similar regulation?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier doesn’t like the slushy conditions at all

I'm surprised the Monte-Master cant match Evans & Solberg on these conditions with all his experience and local knowledge.

Or is it that he doesnt trust these tyres, or that he's now super risk-averse?

[Coach 2]

Alas, my man Gryazin is well off in an area with not many spectators.

Isn't this his big problem, that he goes off the rails far too often, when he should be showing how good he is or should be, with all his experience.

[Coach 2]

I'm surprised the Monte-Master cant match Evans & Solberg on these conditions with all his experience and local knowledge.

Or is it that he doesnt trust these tyres, or that he's now super risk-averse?

I don't know about Evans, but Oliver has had a tremendous preparation for this rally.

[deephouse]

Ogier just think he is unbeatable, but sometimes someone can do the job. Also I was very happy when Evans finally start beating him up again after his lead was down to 3 seconds.

But Solberg, what a wonder. Have that off and still won a stage. Hats off.

[Corcaíoch]

Lot of action, really beautiful weather conditions, middle of Saturday so potentially plenty of spectators. But competition today is over in reality, missing only "useless" city SSS in the evening. What a missed opportunity to attract people...
Agree 100%
The Promoter / Organisers really don't seem to understand what they are trying to promote. Sure, a super special in Monte Carlo with celebrities etc. will probably gain some social media reaction in the very short term but its very hard to see how it attracts new fans in the longer term as it has no relevance to actual rallying.
Today could have been a day of Monte that fans would talk about for years to come, instead fans are just left feeling frustrated and short-changed.

Rather than focusing on the super special in Monte Carlo there are plenty of stories in the actual rally worth telling:
• The conditions – they look amazing in many of the videos online, far more so than the official coverage
• New kid on the block beating the old master
• Famous old team set a 2nd fastest overall stage time in a Rally 2 car on their first rally back (conditions obviously a huge factor but nonetheless there is a good story there)
• Rally 3 car sets 3rd fastest overall stage time
• Many many examples of spectators helping get cars back on the road
• Solberg goes off and still wins stage
• Paddon nearly crashes into Pajari (not even shown on coverage I think?)
• etc. etc.

Stop frustrating and angering the current fans with gimmicks that are unlikely to attract long term fans, give us proper stages and promote the real rally stories properly

[erikli2]

Pajari hit that tree pretty hard:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1YyKTUKYaY/

[doubled1978]

He’d have been better off turning into the field and hoping he could get out. At least the car would be in one piece even if he got stuck….
I suppose it’s easier to say then do in the moment..
He’s going to need a decent Sweden with good road position.

[EstWRC]

Alternator belt was the reason for Jürgenson

[mknight]

Solbergs comment to winning the stage even with an off was that he could have backed off more (for whole stage).

Two years ago he would have said something like "I could have gone even quicker".

This perfectly describes the transformation from the reckless guy that I criticized all the time before to someone who can (finally) take titles.

[dimviii]

Camilli at Pajaris spot
https://www.facebook.com/100010714301972/videos/pcb.1207151594732450/831402043266147

[PLuto]

Are there the same regulations for studded tires in all French races in the winter (asphalt/gravel) as there are in RAM-C?
If so, do other countries in the region (on the continent) have the same or similar regulation?

This is basic FIA rule for tarmac-snow races. Nothing special only for Monte. Of course, some national championships may allow also other type of tyres. But usually on this tarmac roads they never allow big studs like in northern countries.

[PLuto]

Tomorrow will be very difficult with probably all stages covered in snow and ice and no tyre fitting zone?

There is remote service tomorrow morning.