[WRC] Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2026

[dimviii]

Pelamourgues and Armstrong
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1331247782355872

Delecour
https://scontent.fctt1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/616019585_122177437748897801_6813607548993670197_n .jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=PUCjwtYpCQIQ7kNvwHys8OR&_nc_oc=AdnUcFBtralCY3TZ0tZgz1Sr0ubrXzrQ7W7PhTUMBVf MpmkJ793AIDMsa6zGNtXZ9fI5ACUfhk7UI0z8n4obxNkV&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fctt1-1.fna&_nc_gid=l3ahZjo4i4y9XYHk_nsFEQ&oh=00_Afolg2t8o4IsRhUpEGvqXlhYXX6bpdBRf58S1_Fec8I3 DA&oe=697AA79D

[dimviii]

Sarrazin from another angle.Spectators finally managed to recover the car onto the road!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1300470362109054

[Fast Eddie WRC]

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.

On the studded tyres, how do they prep them like Solberg was talking about ?

[Sulland]

Still long to go, but one man has Solberg to win in pickems! (Not me!)

[dimviii]

Solberg
https://www.facebook.com/reel/749274894462793?locale=fr_FR

[PLuto]

On the studded tyres, how do they prep them like Solberg was talking about ?

I think he was meaning warming the tyres before stage. Or be careful and not destroy them so much before.

[MentalParadox]

That Solberg quote about the tires was hilarious to me. As he said it, I was like "no way the commentators will even acknowledge that comment", and lo and behold, Becks immediately started talking about something else. Not only are they not allowed to say anything remotely negative about the tire manufacturer, they can't even acknowledge that a driver just did. Just pretend it never happened.

Reminds me of that time (two years ago, I think?) in Italy when Thierry seemed to hit a dog (the live footage showed his onboard, and it really looked like he drove right over it) and the commentators just pretended it didn't happen. Only 20 or so minutes later out of the blue, Becks went like "oh, that dog is fine btw", proving they did see it and were somehow compelled by some rule to pretend they didn't.

[jonkka]

That Solberg quote about the tires was hilarious to me. As he said it, I was like "no way the commentators will even acknowledge that comment", and lo and behold, Becks immediately started talking about something else. Not only are they not allowed to say anything remotely negative about the tire manufacturer, they can't even acknowledge that a driver just did. Just pretend it never happened.

Reminds me of that time (two years ago, I think?) in Italy when Thierry seemed to hit a dog (the live footage showed his onboard, and it really looked like he drove right over it) and the commentators just pretended it didn't happen. Only 20 or so minutes later out of the blue, Becks went like "oh, that dog is fine btw", proving they did see it and were somehow compelled by some rule to pretend they didn't.

One doesn't bite the hand that feeds you, right?

[linni]

On the studded tyres, how do they prep them like Solberg was talking about ?

Wise guy from our local forum explained, that the studs need some time on tarmac to wear off a bit that the studs can be more exposed.

[WRCStan]

On the studded tyres, how do they prep them like Solberg was talking about ?

Doing donuts of course!

[eddy707]

So, we had just 3 stages and then waited all day for a crap stage like this...
Location is cool but that's about it

[dimviii]

Solberg
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1484436549923173

[PLuto]

Generally I am not big fan of SSS. Thanks god it is wet, so at least it is slippery. But it should be much better to do 2-3 stages in the mountains instead...

[CeskyOndra]

Btw, this big rain is surely big snow up in the Mountains for tomorrow.

[BlueStrike]

Hope for the rare Rally2 outright stage win lives on!

[MentalParadox]

Hope for the rare Rally2 outright stage win lives on!
It will happen next year. Guaranteed.

[Dontcut]

This donut is only watchable element on this SSS.

[becher]

Is there ice at the donut?

[PLuto]

This donut is only watchable element on this SSS.

I completely hates any artificial donuts on the stages. I dont understand how anyone can likes it...

[jcevc]

cobblestones with ice topping :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wise guy from our local forum explained, that the studs need some time on tarmac to wear off a bit that the studs can be more exposed.

Thanks, that's what I assumed.

The studs looked virtually flush with the rubber when they showed a feature on the tyres with the Hankook guy.

[PLuto]

I would like to see now the rally cars going to the Turini. I must say I am really missing famous "la Nuit du Turini".

[dimviii]

I would like to see now the rally cars going to the Turini. I must say I am really missing famous "la Nuit du Turini".

https://media-eu.invisioncic.com/m304542/monthly_2026_01/large.snap5.jpg.f2f6c4dd9488b348ac4cfba75da467cb.j pg

[bearclaw]

I would like to see now the rally cars going to the Turini. I must say I am really missing famous "la Nuit du Turini".

yes, I'd love to see that too. I just watched a video of the hairpin after bayons. incredible atmosphere! for me, it's one of the best scenes in terms of atmosphere in the modern WRC.

rally monte carlo has so many exciting features. but the super special in monaco with a donut on the cobblestones isn't one of them.

it's a shame that an afternoon in the mountains was skip because of it. especially with this beautiful and exciting conditions today.

[PLuto]

Starting order to Leg 4 - https://rally-base.com/2026/rallye-monte-carlo-2026/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=1786

[Jarek Z]

Rally Monte Carlo shows how important it is to listen to your mother in childhood :)
source:
https://www.facebook.com/DirtFishRally/posts/pfbid026fE3vDSavyq7KqCPkTe9VnimPtuRTwVsFVeY55egeQk tUq98nF2NfpAzX7if4Z3Bl

https://scontent.fktw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/621171351_1301863358636580_5666843141468726749_n.j pg?stp=dst-jpg_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=WcN4XTZjsR4Q7kNvwFcRlGz&_nc_oc=AdnhfBuaPFAZC4tA_RH1ji-Erbdcc8CuIX7LBL2Tj1z_YtyfGajecR57fyudwR646k4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fktw1-1.fna&_nc_gid=i9jSv3FsxBsMAJ64PDqkQQ&oh=00_Afp1nwKOCszOib9jtBgISKAzm0DlsTVRdoQhhDLZjomM YQ&oe=697B3365

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@SplitTimeRally

Flash (Col de Turini) — 22:56 local ❄️
Still snowing, but the intensity has dropped compared to earlier. The big story now is the build-up: there’s already a proper layer down, plenty of compacted snow and ruts forming as traffic keeps passing through.

If this freezes overnight, tomorrow’s Turini section could be properly treacherous… and remember, on the descent towards Moulinet it’s rain, so the surface could switch fast.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_dnJ-vW4AA2ikt?format=jpg&name=small

[Coach 2]

I think he was meaning warming the tyres before stage. Or be careful and not destroy them so much before.

There is a collar at the bottom of the 15 mm studs approved by the FIA. As you have already mentioned Pluto, FIA regulation..
By heating, then cooling down, this collar will stick. This applies to studs of any size, including those for the northern part of Europe.
The point is that this heating/cooling cycle is no longer necessary as a form of preparation in the north, based on the glue used and that the heat cooling occurs during SS1 (or where you have changed to new wheels). More precisely: the glue is so effective that the need to attach the collar (at the bottom of the stud) to avoid fading when the rubber gets hot, is eliminated.
When this heating/cooling effect occurs, the stud will stick with a little more protrusion. If you do not do this before the start of the test, this effect will occur somewhat late. This is of course desirable if you start in the lowlands on dry or wet asphalt and get cold snow further inland (higher latitude), but not if there is ice or snow already from the start. Then you have to do this on the transport stage.

[becher]

I would like to see now the rally cars going to the Turini. I must say I am really missing famous "la Nuit du Turini".

I think we all do. The night of the long knives on saturday evening/night as the last stage would be perfect.

[Coach 2]

There is a collar at the bottom of the 15 mm studs approved by the FIA. As you have already mentioned Pluto, FIA regulation..
By heating, then cooling down, this collar will stick. This applies to studs of any size, including those for the northern part of Europe.
The point is that this heating/cooling cycle is no longer necessary as a form of preparation in the north, based on the glue used and that the heat cooling occurs during SS1 (or where you have changed to new wheels). More precisely: the glue is so effective that the need to attach the collar (at the bottom of the stud) to avoid fading when the rubber gets hot, is eliminated.
When this heating/cooling effect occurs, the stud will stick with a little more protrusion. If you do not do this before the start of the test, this effect will occur somewhat late. This is of course desirable if you start in the lowlands on dry or wet asphalt and get cold snow further inland (higher latitude), but not if there is ice or snow already from the start. Then you have to do this on the transport stage.

PS.Back in the day I think you had to go over 60/80 degrees Celsius and cool down to below 40 before the rubber cracked and the collar snapped.
When Kullæng beat Blomqvist in 1980 he said his victory was mainly due to the fact that he had a friend who had cycled countless times on frozen water to have perfect tires for the long stage on Saturday/Sunday night, 43k.
Maybe this is still necessary with the FIA ​​studs regulation, Oliver's explanation suggests I might be right.

[Coach 2]

There is a collar at the bottom of the 15 mm studs approved by the FIA. As you have already mentioned Pluto, FIA regulation..
By heating, then cooling down, this collar will stick. This applies to studs of any size, including those for the northern part of Europe.
The point is that this heating/cooling cycle is no longer necessary as a form of preparation in the north, based on the glue used and that the heat cooling occurs during SS1 (or where you have changed to new wheels). More precisely: the glue is so effective that the need to attach the collar (at the bottom of the stud) to avoid fading when the rubber gets hot, is eliminated.
When this heating/cooling effect occurs, the stud will stick with a little more protrusion. If you do not do this before the start of the test, this effect will occur somewhat late. This is of course desirable if you start in the lowlands on dry or wet asphalt and get cold snow further inland (higher latitude), but not if there is ice or snow already from the start. Then you have to do this on the transport stage.

PS.Back in the day I think you had to go over 60/80 degrees Celsius and cool down to below 40 before the rubber cracked and the collar snapped.
When Kullæng beat Blomqvist in 1980 he said his victory was mainly due to the fact that he had a friend who had cycled countless times on frozen water to have perfect tires for the long stage on Saturday/Sunday night, 43k.
Maybe this is still necessary with the FIA ​​studs regulation, Oliver's explanation suggests I might be right.

[Steve Boyd]

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?
Studded tyres not allowed in UK.

[Steve Boyd]

Thanks, that's what I assumed.

The studs looked virtually flush with the rubber when they showed a feature on the tyres with the Hankook guy.
FIA regulations say that the stud on the tarmac tyre used for Monte must not protrude more than 2 mm. I think that is to minimise damage to the tarmac where there is no snow or ice.
For the studded snow tyre used in Sweden & similar rallies the stud length is limited to 20 mm, but the protrusion is not specified.

[PLuto]

Greg Munster with technical issues before SS 14

[archie106]

SS15 looks very snowy from the Hankook Recce info.

Surprising time loss from Ogier in SS14, being beaten by Armstrong was not what I expected given Sunday points.

edit: Leo Rossel P3 in SS14! Faster than Solberg when directly behind him on the road

[PLuto]

SS15 looks very snowy from the Hankook Recce info.

Surprising time loss from Ogier in SS14, being beaten by Armstrong was not what I expected given Sunday points.

edit: Leo Rossel P3 in SS14! Faster than Solberg when directly behind him on the road

It was not directly, there was 10 minutes gap as the stage was stopped.

[ik1911]

Stage Win For Lancia!?

[WRCStan]

Studded tyres not allowed in UK.

Neither are winter tyres, culturally.

[Corcaíoch]

Jurgenson now fastest, we have our first Rally 2 stage victory of the year!

[jcevc]

Wait a litttle bit on Fontana with Rally3...if big evolution of surface is happening he could be faster.

[jcevc]

Y. Rossel even faster - looks like RC2 drivers will interfere fight for super sunday points as Rossel has now 20 sek advantage before Evans and Fourmaux.

[denkimi]

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

we really should be able to see this side by side with ogier or evans.

[WRCStan]

And power stage, like 2027 already!

[EstWRC]

Y. Rossel even faster - looks like RC2 drivers will interfere fight for super sunday points as Rossel has now 20 sek advantage before Evans and Fourmaux.

Haha yeah, and quite a huge gaps there. This will be interesting now if it continues like that also on long stage

And Jürgenson is learning quite fast. Great to see

Such a shame about that alternator issue yesterday but he has been doing very good in his first Monte ever

[archie106]

First overall stage win for a Rally3 car? Fontana fastest in SS14!

[WRCStan]

Wait a litttle bit on Fontana with Rally3...if big evolution of surface is happening he could be faster.

2.2 quickest

Euromillions numbers please.

[Eli]

Are we doing the full col de turini this year or is it ending stupidly in the middle like 2024/2025?

[denkimi]

Wait a litttle bit on Fontana with Rally3...if big evolution of surface is happening he could be faster.

indeed. no rc2 stage victory so far, just a rc3 one.

[jcevc]

2.2 quickest

Euromillions numbers please.

hahaha I am trying already for few years but I am not (as) successful :D
I didn`t earn even for WRC+ annual subscription yet :confused:

[bearclaw]

...what happened to the turini? there are no people up there. and no camera for WRC Plus either.

[meh]

First overall stage win for a Rally3 car? Fontana fastest in SS14!

Ford got its stage win :)

[denkimi]

that will be no sunday points for neuville. why on earth would you take non studded spare tyres?

[EstWRC]

Hyundais love to follow each other on this rally. lol

[EstWRC]

On hand one I love these conditions but on the other hand it’s so uneven. Just a look at the gaps and Josh was basically a snow plower on this stage

Same for Ogier on Thursday night where he lost a lot

[PLuto]

Are we doing the full col de turini this year or is it ending stupidly in the middle like 2024/2025?

Full version from La Bollene to Moulinet.

[Ds3]

Evans on his way to his first victory at Monte...

[PLuto]

...what happened to the turini? there are no people up there. and no camera for WRC Plus either.

As far as I heard, there were troubles to reach Turini from Peira Cava due to snow, so lot of people decided to go to different place.

[Ds3]

Evans on his way to his first victory at Monte...

[denkimi]

yohan rossel coming in fast. he might get a lot of sunday points.

[becher]

FIA regulations say that the stud on the tarmac tyre used for Monte must not protrude more than 2 mm. I think that is to minimise damage to the tarmac where there is no snow or ice.
For the studded snow tyre used in Sweden & similar rallies the stud length is limited to 20 mm, but the protrusion is not specified.

Like normal road car studs basically.

[EstWRC]

Rossel leading the super Sunday by 26.9 seconds in front of Jürgenson

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier is miserable because he cant win and seems to have forgotten about Super Sunday points.

[Corcaíoch]

Fontana wins again, Lancia miss out on their first stage win by 1.1s

[Failure]

And Fontana again!

[meh]

It means - for super sunday, after 2 stages:
* 1. Montana, Rally3
* 2. Y. Rossel, Rally2
* 3. Jürgenson, Rally2
* 4. Evans, Rally1

[denkimi]

Rossel leading the super Sunday by 26.9 seconds in front of Jürgenson
As it is now only 2 points for evans and 1 for fourmaux.

[TypeR]

Armstrong finished?


Now McErlean crashed also

[CeskyOndra]

Costly rally for McErlean..

[CeskyOndra]

Did Fourmaux use winter tire?

[Morte66]

Well held there Taka

[EstWRC]

Jürgenson the best ford now.

[jonkka]

So with Munster, McErlean and Armstrong all out no Ford will score manufacturer's points. That will be the end of record run of 321 consecutive points scoring finishes for Ford.

[archie106]

Big shame for Armstrong. Lots of positives to take, but it would have been great to finish P6.

[TypeR]

Solberg's windshield cracked

[deephouse]

Does super sunday points count on all participants overall or every class have their own?

[EstWRC]

Fourmaux will win PS by a mile cause Toyotas don’t have non studs with them

[becher]

What happened to Armstrong? Technical or mistake?

[CeskyOndra]

Solberg should start to admit that he is NOT taking it easy. I'm getting annoyed by his "control" drive with mistake every second stage.

[macebig]

McErlean continues and Munster wasn't nominated anyways.

[BleAivano]

Solberg now 58 s ahead with one stage to go, bring it home Oliver.

[Morte66]

What happened to Armstrong? Technical or mistake?

Accident at 0.7km according to https://ewrc-results.com/event/96179-rallye-automobile-monte-carlo-2026/results/505371 but I didn't catch what happened.

[WRCStan]

Does super sunday points count on all participants overall or every class have their own?

It's everyone in the rally.

[PLuto]

Does super sunday points count on all participants overall or every class have their own?

Of course overall. No class points, only overall.

[PLuto]

McErlean continues and Munster wasn't nominated anyways.

McErlean retired...

[Jarek Z]

McErlean retired...

So Matteo Fontana is the most successful Ford river in this rally? ;)

[deephouse]

Thanks for a info. Some story here. Rally3 car appear on WRC overall board. It will be such an embarassment if anyone from regural WRC field would be somehow on lower points overall at the end of a season as this Rally3 driver.

Regarding Armstrong. They only reported it was stopped at the start of stage. Then showed really bad replay with worst possible replaying speed in another car's onboard showing Armstrong parked on one of excursion zone on a hairpin. And that was it. Again well done RallyTV crew on missing the action completely. While McErlean got so much coverage, while he was fighting for not being last or something.

I don't understand why they whine constantly how it's hard to cover all, while there would be quite simple solution to this. Make a platform where fans could upload videos and some stuff would then choose what would be replaying on RallyTV action. For so many years fans do proved that they are doing way better job as official RallyTV crew.

[CeskyOndra]

Fourmaux will win PS by a mile cause Toyotas don’t have non studs with them

I don't think that will be the option, the climb will still be icy, no?

[becher]

PS.Back in the day I think you had to go over 60/80 degrees Celsius and cool down to below 40 before the rubber cracked and the collar snapped.
When Kullæng beat Blomqvist in 1980 he said his victory was mainly due to the fact that he had a friend who had cycled countless times on frozen water to have perfect tires for the long stage on Saturday/Sunday night, 43k.
Maybe this is still necessary with the FIA ​​studs regulation, Oliver's explanation suggests I might be right.
So what you are saying is that with a heat/cooling down cycle the collar snaps and allows the studs to protrude further out of the tyre and making them longer?

I'm confused because your first post on this topic sounded like it is about stud retention rather than stud "length".

[becher]

Accident at 0.7km according to https://ewrc-results.com/event/96179-rallye-automobile-monte-carlo-2026/results/505371 but I didn't catch what happened.

Ah I thought I missed it, but the bad onboard was all we got...

[WRCStan]

I don't understand why they whine constantly how it's hard to cover all, while there would be quite simple solution to this. Make a platform where fans could upload videos and some stuff would then choose what would be replaying on RallyTV action. For so many years fans do proved that they are doing way better job as official RallyTV crew.

But then it'll encourage and approve of common spectators standing in stupid places.

[becher]

But then it'll encourage and approve of common spectators standing in stupid places.
Also, the phone network never works on WRC events in my experience. Checking ewrc takes minutes sometimes, so uploading a video in time to get it checked out and forwarded to the live broadcast sounds impossible.

[eib1]

SS16 stopped, Sarrazin blocking the road

https://media.ewrc-results.com/quick-photos/96179_rmc015.jpg

[TypeR]

Forum crashing/not working at all at the moment..
For me at least

[CeskyOndra]

Forum crashing/not working at all at the moment..
For me at least

Happening to me all weekend long.

[CeskyOndra]

SS16 stopped, Sarrazin blocking the road

https://media.ewrc-results.com/quick-photos/96179_rmc015.jpg

What will be the nominal times?

[TypeR]

Wheatley is really talking about something else and quite nonsense..

Car is fast, drivers are doing good job, we are p4 and p5 and maybe getting some points today also..

Ffs, they are half a day behind and car is undriveable :D

All that talk is for management and sponsors maybe :D

[CeskyOndra]

No chance for Neuville with non-studded tyre

[Eli]

Forum crashing/not working at all at the moment..
For me at least

Didn’t want to load for me this morning and last night, even now working relatively slowly.

[Corcaíoch]

So with Munster, McErlean and Armstrong all out no Ford will score manufacturer's points. That will be the end of record run of 321 consecutive points scoring finishes for Ford.

Not knocking M-Sport, and gutted for Armstrong after what had been a good first rally, but I'm somewhat glad this record is gone. It gets trotted out after almost every rally regardless of the "point scorer" often super rallying and finishing a long way down the finishing order whereas. The record is often presented as something far more impressive.

[WRCStan]

That record is little more than a participation trophy, but it's the participation that should be celebrated, not a chain of what is a gimmick of points.

[jonkka]

Not knocking M-Sport, and gutted for Armstrong after what had been a good first rally, but I'm somewhat glad this record is gone. It gets trotted out after almost every rally regardless of the "point scorer" often super rallying and finishing a long way down the finishing order whereas. The record is often presented as something far more impressive.

That is very very true. It meant much more back in the day before super rally became a thing. But it's still quite impressive achievement, stretching back decades and seasons and dozens of drivers contributing. I am a statistics guy and love numbers so I am biased, obviously.

[Morte66]

Now, is Seb really cruising, or has he been saving his tyres for the power stage?

[Simmi]

Really criminal not to have a fixed camera on the top of the Col.

EDIT: And as soon as I post that they show one haha

[becher]

The combination of a small top class manufacturer field and the way manufacturer points are handed out, makes the M Sport record meaningless. Unless we have ten or more first and second crews of a manufacturer team you could push your works car through the stages and still earn manufacturer points. Super Rally isn't the only issue here.

[denkimi]

with the cancelation of ss16, it will be up to the bureaucrats to award sunday points their notional times.

[BleAivano]

Well done Oliver. For the first time since 1971 a Swedish driver win the Monte Carlo rally.

[Corcaíoch]

Fantastic performance by Solberg, I was looking forward to what he might do in Sweden but honestly wasn’t expecting more than a solid 4th or 5th sort of result here. Exceptional!

[doubled1978]

Good job by Oliver, rode his luck a bit today, but overall you can’t knock him at all. He’s had 2 rallies in that car, and won them both.
Evans has been excellent to be fair, had more or less the same road position as Ogier and beat him fair and square, only for this Swedish lunatic to come and beat him!
Ogier a bit subdued, a few flashes of him at his best, but otherwise just a steady run. The sort of drive you would normally associate with Evans!
Formaux has been decent, if he hadn’t got lost in the fog and the technical problems on Friday, he might have got a sniff of a podium, maybe.

[WRCStan]

Well that was utterly boring rally to watch, no jeopardy. Just a walk in the park and same winner all the time. Cancelling my sub the FIA don't know what they're doing.

[meh]

So, Yohan Rossel and Lancia get nice points - 7 points from the Super Sunday and 1 from the power stage.

[deephouse]

It's because the stages are too long, too much gaps every single stage and especially for PS. This stage should be short so literally everyone would go on nail there. Also it would be logistically easier, there could be better live streaming, probably better athmosphere with fans...

Next year with new rules having WRC27 and Rally2 cars competing directly side by side we can only expect there will be way more competition, and I don't see any other way to show them all on live (9-10 can easily increase to over 20 with both classes).

[meh]

Matteo Fontana is finished now as well and we can finally call the super-sunday results:
* 1. Y Rossel, Rally2
* 2. Evans, Rally1
* 3. Fourmaux, Rally1
* 4. Fontana, Rally3
* 5. Solberg, Rally1
* 6. Jürgenson, Rally2
* 7. Ogier, Rally1

And power-stage:
* 1. Evans, Rally1
* 2. Solberg, Rally1
* 3. Ogier, Rally1
* 4. Fourmaux, Rally1
* 5. Y Rossel, Rally2

[Kenneth]

It's because the stages are too long, too much gaps every single stage and especially for PS. This stage should be short so literally everyone would go on nail there.

No lol, it's a stage that can decide about 10 points. It should always be the most difficult stage of the rally, not some 10km sprint.

[focus206]

Great stuff by Oliver. I thought he was going to be a surprise this season, but I didn't think he was going to win Monte. IF (big if) Oliver can be consistent throughout the season, he can challenge for the title. He has the enough speed, some stage times reminded me Kalle blitzing everybody in Croatia few years ago.

Shame for Armstrong's retirement, but promising start. Last year I said I would have picked Armstrong instead of McErlean for Rally1, but maybe it was good for Jon getting to do ERC in a Rally2 first.
Too bad also for Munster, he was actually showing decent pace compared to last year. Now his only chance is to go down to Rally2 and win.

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/IJtVNGSPovI

[deephouse]

Maybe McErlean should do that too. Imagine Sesks and Armstrong being here for full season. The whole team could get better motivation and both drivers could do even better, because they are on the same level, which sadly I think Joshua and Munster isn't (at least Joshua not yet, and it seems it will not be any different as last year).

[Sulland]

Congrats to Oliver, Elliot and the Solberg claan on a surprize win! If you win a monte with the conditions they have faced in 26, you can win most, if not all rallies on the calendar.

Since Oliver is "Svorsk" a combo of svedeish and norvegian, and have double citizenship. A big congrats to all fans from these countries especially, since most drivers from these countris dont like thos rally. And Petter never won Monte!

Toyota must be very happy, signing a very good crew, that will give Ogier a good fight this year!

[BlueStrike]

Four years ago, Oliver was inhaling petrol fumes in Hyundai‘s misbegotten first attempt at a Rally1, catching flak from one of his teammates for not risking his health to bag a handful of manufacturer points.

Fair to say that‘s a bit of a full-circle moment today. Fantastic for the sport and the championship as well.

[dimviii]

podium live
https://www.youtube.com/live/unyFCwYpJxM

[EstWRC]

Armstrong mistake https://x.com/carli_cup/status/2015435624304570866?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[CeskyOndra]

Armstrong mistake https://x.com/carli_cup/status/2015435624304570866?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

Ran out of luck this weekend.. Anyone else would've gotten away from it, not a big hit tho

[dimviii]

Solberg ss 12 onboard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTcaRW-p408

[GigiGalliNo1]

Well that was utterly boring rally to watch, no jeopardy. Just a walk in the park and same winner all the time. Cancelling my sub the FIA don't know what they're doing.

Wait... same winner, all the time? I've only ever known Oliver to win one other WRC event....

The fighting was tough... this was a difficult Monte... hasn't been this snowy in years!

[BleAivano]

Wait... same winner, all the time? I've only ever known Oliver to win one other WRC event....

The fighting was tough... this was a difficult Monte... hasn't been this snowy in years!

Gigi, he is being sarcastic (not sure if you are too).

[skarderud]

Quite surpriced over solberg, mature and competitive driving!
If he keeps up like this all season, he will surprise everyone.
My pickems was ogier-solberg-evans, close but no sigar

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[COD]

As a lifetime rallyfan, getting bored. Was looking forward to a snowy Monte, but with Tänak missing and his give it all attitude to give Hyundai a chance, find the Toyota dominance killing the thrill. Never found the championship this boring. Great to see a young man winning, but with MSport being what it is too, hard to get exited

[doubled1978]

Shame. Pretty much everyone made a similar mistake this week, but he didn’t get away with it. Still, he showed a bit of promise and that perhaps he’s going to have a go, even if he makes a few errors.

[1988senna]

Well I still don't know why Ogier lost to Evans during Saturday to Sunday , is that because of tyre or just because of Ogier's old

[deephouse]

Usually it was vice versa. Evans starting good and then messed up by Ogier, but here he completely give the best he could to hold him back (but I have a feeling Ogier hold himself up from the start too). If Evans would at least try a little harder last year, he would surely clinch the title. The man leaded from the start and until the end of a season.

Not sure if Tanak could somehow do much more than Neuville and Fourmaux. This Monte was somehow strange as guys from lower classes made better times, because their conditions improve later on, so even Paddon couldn't climb back into top 10.

[106 sport]

Amazing rally !!!

[Jarek Z]

As a lifetime rallyfan, getting bored. Was looking forward to a snowy Monte, but with Tänak missing and his give it all attitude to give Hyundai a chance, find the Toyota dominance killing the thrill. Never found the championship this boring. Great to see a young man winning, but with MSport being what it is too, hard to get exited

Really? For me it was actually the first WRC rally that I enjoyed since forever. I even showed live broadcast from 2 stages (on Saturday and Sunday) on TV to my father. He is over 80 years old and he enjoyed it too. He was shocked when he saw Solberg attacking the fence after offroad on Saturday, but he loved it :)

[macebig]

It was entertaining. But, you gotta imagine how much better things could have been if Rally 1s didn't exist. Think about 40 crews in similar cars battling it out, with local stars down the order getting a real shot at the win through conditions improving and even a crew from a lower category imitating Group N and F2 of yesteryear and putting surprise times left and right.The headlines write themselves . The old "Toyota vs Lancia" battle revived. Citroen and Ford being able to challenge for the overall. Even Hyundai could have a shot. And even if Skoda didn't do much here, they would have been a force in upcoming events.Not pulling the trigger in making Rally 2 the top class is bitting WRC in the ass.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

You have to take it as it is and enjoy the rise of a new star in Oliver Solberg. Even if they were all in Toyota's it was still a great thing to see the youngster taking on and beating the established stars of Ogier and Evans on his first event in the main team. Nobody has missed Rovanpera and only really Estonian's badly missed Tanak here.

Hyundai and M-Sport weren't competitive for various reasons but the Rally1 cars are still good to watch for the fans. We will miss the spectacle when they're gone.

And the rally itself with the conditions made it way more interesting and exciting than the dry editions of recent years. It was a classic and should be appreciated.

[denkimi]

My biggest suprise of the rally was how bad Ogier was. I expected him to dominate like he has done the last 10 years. I was at least expecting him to challenge Solberg.


It was entertaining. But, you gotta imagine how much better things could have been if Rally 1s didn't exist. Think about 40 crews in similar cars battling it out, with local stars down the order getting a real shot at the win through conditions improving and even a crew from a lower category imitating Group N and F2 of yesteryear and putting surprise times left and right.The headlines write themselves . The old "Toyota vs Lancia" battle revived. Citroen and Ford being able to challenge for the overall. Even Hyundai could have a shot. And even if Skoda didn't do much here, they would have been a force in upcoming events.Not pulling the trigger in making Rally 2 the top class is bitting WRC in the ass.
There were many crews batteling for victory in rc2, local stars included. But in the end the same guys that always win, won again.
Getting rid of rc1 would not change much.

[saco0o]

first time since 2019 that i actually got crazy heartbeats watching a wrc event. what a blast, fellas. what a blast! oli kicked everybody's butts, thats awesome! if jon had kept that P6 or so id be choking in happiness. but what a blast, im so happy!

i just managed to watch the 52min highlight THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUTUBE AND ON TV/CABLE for the world to watch this sport. it is a really good format to promote the championship on those platforms, they NEED to have these 52min shows out on youtube. redbulltv is geoblocking people again

[BleAivano]

My biggest suprise of the rally was how bad Ogier was. I expected him to dominate like he has done the last 10 years. I was at least expecting him to challenge Solberg.


There were many crews batteling for victory in rc2, local stars included. But in the end the same guys that always win, won again.
Getting rid of rc1 would not change much.

Perhaps if you are 9 times Rally WDC perhaps Ogier wasn't that motivated due to conditions?

[focus206]

I'm not that surprised of Ogier's 3rd place, it's not like he has never been beaten in Monte. Evans is always good on slippery tricky conditions, and Solberg did an exceptional rally, so I see reasons for them beating Ogier.

[WRCStan]

Ogier was great, I don't remember him putting a foot wrong other than when he put one in his mouth. It's just Evans was quicker and Solberg even quicker, which speaks more about them, though Solberg rode his luck several times.

[doubled1978]

[QUOTE=denkimi;1372907]My biggest suprise of the rally was how bad Ogier was. I expected him to dominate like he has done the last 10 years. I was at least expecting him to challenge Solberg.


I think it’s a little harsh to say how bad he was. Evans and Solberg were fantastic and Ogier couldn’t cover them this time.
Evans must be thinking what he has to do, he puts Ogier to bed with more or less same road position and a fantastic drive, and then Solberg comes along and beats him!

[WRCStan]

There were many crews batteling for victory in rc2, local stars included. But in the end the same guys that always win, won again.
Getting rid of rc1 would not change much.

I can't subscribe to the view that a realistic shot of an outright win vs a class win changes the approach of enough drivers out there to make a notable difference.

But also Macebig, how can you say this and still pine for having a lower category car with surprise times on the same weekend a Rally3 set scratches? Weren't you aware of the 'headlines'?

[Rallyper]

Ogier new quite early he had to back off and secure 2nd. When that didn´t work he secured 3rd for the coming points.

[Kenneth]

New angle of Armstrong's crash:

https://www.reddit.com/r/rally/s/PKY0NJUrWn

[EstWRC]

Nobody has missed Rovanpera and only really Estonian's badly missed Tanak here.

Speak for yourself, the fact that people didnt post and scream here their names doesnt mean they didnt miss them. I definitely miss them both and i saw many people saying the same in different social media comments (not estonians and finns)

Yes, the rally was interesting because of the conditions but apart from Olivers surprise win, was there anything surprising really? Take Solberg out of the result and everything was still the same with Toyotas being superb, Hyundais struggling and way out of the pace, M-sport "talents" crashing again.

So far I havent been fan of the new regulations at all but 27 cant come soon enough in the sense to make things more even and interesting again.

This year will be another Toyota walk over again.

And oh, the whole week when watching Solbergs performance, I was thinking again what Tänak and Neuville could do with the Toyota, as we know Oliver was teammates them in 2022, I know its a different Oliver now than in 2022 but IMO Tänak and Neuville havent gotten worse with these 3 years.

[Jarek Z]

Yes, the rally was interesting because of the conditions but apart from Olivers surprise win, was there anything surprising really?

Yes! Matteo Fontana's two wins! :)

[macebig]

Imo, Katsuta and Pajari are proving rally after rally that the Yaris isn't as unbeatable as people here think. Just Hyundai is an unorganized mess and M-Sport doesn't have full backing from Ford for a consistent effort. That's the main problem of the championship.

[deephouse]

It would be better if some non-winner would leave instead of Tanak and Rovanpera. That's why we like Ogier still being around, to bring challenge, even if he play the dirty game here "not driving whole season for more free time" but actually "not driving whole season to improve his position to win a title". We need many champions, winners and fast guys to have big battles all the time... Nobody likes the dominance from one super human. That's why I'm always loud for format to shorten the stages significantly... That would bring guys to fight more, they would crash less (maybe yes, maybe it would be worse), but it would definetely bring more nail bitting times on the table and not 30 seconds better stage times for each driver who would be next.

Regarding who did the worst on Monte, we can all agree, it was all Hyundai drivers. The only one who shoed some promise was once again the newest kid, Fourmaux, but Hyundai was so bad, slow, non-responsive, many mistakes even if they have bad splits, and once again proving that all they do is to brag in the media, at least their higher stuff.

M-Sport was actually quick many times (Jon proved), but it was his first ever WRC event in a best car and first Monte. So it was awesome even if he didn't finish the rally.

Ogier it seems lost motivation already on friday or maybe thursday, but timewise he could still clinch the win, because he was not that far away. Man McErlean and Pajari, they probably were competing who will be the worst. But some guys take more time to improve. I honestly see McErlean way better than Munster. But I think he will need to finish every rally possible if he would want to stay in highest level of rallying. I think Pajari could reach Katsuta's level or even Lappi if we compare him to finish drivers, but he will never be Rovanpera. Nobody will be, well maybe Solberg? We will see.

[Jarek Z]

There were many crews batteling for victory in rc2, local stars included. But in the end the same guys that always win, won again.
Getting rid of rc1 would not change much.

That is not true. It was Rossel's first win in WRC2 ever.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Speak for yourself, the fact that people didnt post and scream here their names doesnt mean they didnt miss them. I definitely miss them both and i saw many people saying the same in different social media comments (not estonians and finns)

Yes, the rally was interesting because of the conditions but apart from Olivers surprise win, was there anything surprising really? Take Solberg out of the result and everything was still the same with Toyotas being superb, Hyundais struggling and way out of the pace, M-sport "talents" crashing again.

So far I havent been fan of the new regulations at all but 27 cant come soon enough in the sense to make things more even and interesting again.

This year will be another Toyota walk over again.

And oh, the whole week when watching Solbergs performance, I was thinking again what Tänak and Neuville could do with the Toyota, as we know Oliver was teammates them in 2022, I know its a different Oliver now than in 2022 but IMO Tänak and Neuville havent gotten worse with these 3 years.

I never saw or heard Rovanpera or Tanak's names mentioned here or any other rally media I read or watch.

And you said Tanak will he laughing at home so you know he would have had the same old struggles with the Hyundai here, or some unreliability.

Toyota mostly dominates with Rally1 so you have to find the excitement between its team mates. And in WRC27 Reg cars do you think others will be able to beat them ? I wouldn't bet on it.

[Morte66]

Solberg. Hmm. Clearly a WDC 26 contender. Title favourite? Well, he won the rally. OTOH: he's a bit of a winter rally specialist, he did better on day 1-2 with a cleaning advantage than on the rest of the rally with similar road position to Evans/Ogier, and he had some luck. One of the title favourites, I think.

Evans: very good rally. Another WDC contender.

Ogier: either the winter tyre really doesn't suit him, in which case it's probably the last time he'll use it so no biggie, or he was making excuses. Still, automatic title contender if he wants to be.

Fourmaux: continues to look good. He can only "show potential" at Hyundai.

Neuville: was fast when the car suited the stage/conditions. Running out of career time.

Armstrong: fast, lasted longer than I would have expected the Armstrong of one year ago to last. Whilst he is "a possible future champion", to borrow the popular phrase, he's not a contender now. Whilst he is far and away M-Sport's fastest WRC1 driver and he should get them a much better year, I still think they should have left him in ERC and won something this year.

Paddon: finished the rally. Actually pretty good for a Hyundai third driver in recent years.

The WRC2/3 guys winning stages: congratulations guys, fantastic for you, but it also worries me. In 2027, will some guy who's 14th in the championship win Sardinia because of cleaning?

[denkimi]

That's why I'm always loud for format to shorten the stages significantly... That would bring guys to fight more, they would crash less (maybe yes, maybe it would be worse), but it would definetely bring more nail bitting times on the table and not 30 seconds better stage times for each driver who would be next.
You think 2 10km stages where solberg is twice 15 second faster is better than 1 20km stage where he is 30 seconds faster?

[deephouse]

Solberg. Hmm. Clearly a WDC 26 contender. Title favourite? Well, he won the rally. OTOH: he's a bit of a winter rally specialist, he did better on day 1-2 with a cleaning advantage than on the rest of the rally with similar road position to Evans/Ogier, and he had some luck. One of the title favourites, I think.

Evans: very good rally. Another WDC contender.

Ogier: either the winter tyre really doesn't suit him, in which case it's probably the last time he'll use it so no biggie, or he was making excuses. Still, automatic title contender if he wants to be.

Fourmaux: continues to look good. He can only "show potential" at Hyundai.

Neuville: was fast when the car suited the stage/conditions. Running out of career time.

Armstrong: fast, lasted longer than I would have expected the Armstrong of one year ago to last. Whilst he is "a possible future champion", to borrow the popular phrase, he's not a contender now. Whilst he is far and away M-Sport's fastest WRC1 driver and he should get them a much better year, I still think they should have left him in ERC and won something this year.

Paddon: finished the rally. Actually pretty good for a Hyundai third driver in recent years.

The WRC2/3 guys winning stages: congratulations guys, fantastic for you, but it also worries me. In 2027, will some guy who's 14th in the championship win Sardinia because of cleaning?

Sardinia have a spot for the last time in 2026 on WRC calendar. From 2027 Italy round will be held on mainland in Rome and it will be tarmac rally.

[Morte66]

Sardinia have a spot for the last time in 2026 on WRC calendar. From 2027 Italy round will be held on mainland in Rome and it will be tarmac rally.

You made me very happy. :)

[ReRe]

My gallery from Rally Monte Carlo 2026:
https://eu.zonerama.com/TomasR/Album/14593996

[Fast Eddie WRC]

"Crazy" fans again at Monte get warned...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/monte-prompts-fia-safety-warning-to-spectators/

The drivers were quick to back Klinger’s call for action, with Monte Carlo runner-up Elfyn Evans saying: “Where they were stood yesterday [Saturday] in some places was really bad. But like not a bit bad, just completely brain dead, missing common sense. It’s probably a handful of people that are just not using their head.

“If you’re coming to a second-gear right-hander, downhill and it’s full ice and slush and you see cars have been off already and they’re stood five meters back… you know?

“Yes, we need [the FIA and ASNs] to do more, but there’s only so much anybody can do – it has come down to the intelligence of the individual.”

[Rallyper]

"Crazy" fans again at Monte get warned...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/monte-prompts-fia-safety-warning-to-spectators/

The drivers were quick to back Klinger’s call for action, with Monte Carlo runner-up Elfyn Evans saying: “Where they were stood yesterday [Saturday] in some places was really bad. But like not a bit bad, just completely brain dead, missing common sense. It’s probably a handful of people that are just not using their head.

“If you’re coming to a second-gear right-hander, downhill and it’s full ice and slush and you see cars have been off already and they’re stood five meters back… you know?

“Yes, we need [the FIA and ASNs] to do more, but there’s only so much anybody can do – it has come down to the intelligence of the individual.”

Mme Mouton, we need you back. Or...?

[PLuto]

Mme Mouton, we need you back. Or...?

No