The eagerly anticipated 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season bursts into life when Rallye Monte-Carlo will get underway for the 93rd time from January 22-26.
Thrilling tweaks to the technical rules, an expanded calendar, a brand new official tyre provider and a revamped points-scoring system are simply a few of what’s in retailer through the upcoming title chase, which will probably be contested by manufacturing facility groups from Hyundai, M-Sport Ford and Toyota. A capability 70-car entry, out of 92 registrations, together with 47 FIA precedence crews, has been assembled to compete on the 2025 FIA WRC season opener, made doable as all the time due to the tons of of volunteer marshals and officers amongst greater than two thousand individuals mobilised who make sure the protected and profitable working of the occasion. Whereas Rallye Monte-Carlo is a Tarmac occasion in title, it’s hardly ever a Tarmac occasion in nature resulting from its popularity for wintry climate circumstances. Ice and even snow typically add to the robust process in hand, as do the inconsistent grip ranges which might be continuously skilled on the mountain roads. Having taken over from Pirelli because the FIA WRC’s official tyre provider, Hankook Tire will probably be offering the spec rubber for all of the rivals. It’s anticipated that total grip ranges will probably be barely decrease than in recent times, which will probably be simply one of many many challenges that the drivers must adapt to in 2025. For Rallye Monte-Carlo, the corporate is offering its Ventus Z215 mushy and tremendous mushy tyre with the i*Cept SR20 snow tyre additionally accessible with or with out studs fitted. Hankook will unleash its Dynapro tyre for the gravel rounds later within the yr.
Lighter, easier and extra inexpensive Rally1 vehicles will take to the levels because the WRC’s flagship class, utilising 100 per cent sustainable gas as they’ve since 2022, however with out the plug-in hybrid models deployed over the previous three years. As a part of the rule change, the minimal weight of the vehicles has been lowered from 1260 kilograms to 1180 kilograms. To keep up an equal power-to-weight ratio between the 2024 and 2025 Rally1 vehicles, the air restrictor dimension has been diminished from 36mm to 35mm.
The allocation of championship factors has been modified for 2025 to put a larger emphasis on profitable occasions outright, whereas guaranteeing there’s nonetheless loads to combat for on the Sunday of every rally. Factors will now be allotted on a sliding scale of 25-17-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 to the highest 10 categorised finishers. A separate Sunday allocation of 5-4-3-2-1 will reward the highest 5 in response to the outcomes of the ultimate leg, whereas the quickest quintet on the Energy Stage will rating 5-4-3-2-1 factors. Having been in a position to financial institution a most of 30 factors in 2024, a driver profitable the rally, topping the Tremendous Sunday order and going quickest on the Energy Stage can now safe 35 factors.
Contested over 14 rounds in comparison with the earlier 13, the WRC visits the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, Paraguay and Saudi Arabia for the primary time. EKO Acropolis Rally Greece returns to the late June slot it final occupied in 2005, whereas Delfi Rally Estonia is again after working as a part of the FIA European Rally Championship final season. Rally del Paraguay’s inclusion means two rallies in South America for the primary time since 2019. The all-new Rally Saudi Arabia turns into the deciding spherical with Forum8 Rally Japan now the penultimate occasion of the yr.
In a key personnel change for 2025, Nicolas Klinger is promoted to the position of FIA WRC Security Delegate following Michèle Mouton’s choice to retire following greater than a decade of unbelievable service. Klinger’s Deputy Security Delegate position is crammed by Priit Priimägi from Estonia.
MONACO LAUNCH FOR 2025 FIA WRC SEASON
The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship is being launched this Sunday (January 19) in Monaco’s On line casino Sq.. The ceremony will probably be inaugurated FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem alongside WRC Promoter CEO Jona Siebel and representatives of the Vehicle Membership de Monaco.
The occasion will formally introduce Hankook because the unique official WRC tyre provider, marking the start of a brand new chapter for the game. The occasion will culminate with the introduction of Rally1 producers and their collaborating crews, adopted by a proper drinks reception on the Café de Paris for invited visitors.
THE ROUTE IN SHORT
With the town of Hole the occasion’s residence for the second season in a row following a two-year stint primarily based again on the harbourside in Monaco, the 93rd Rallye Monte-Carlo will problem the celebrities of the FIA World Rally Championship over 343.80 kilometres. Following the normal ceremonial begin in Monaco’s On line casino Sq., proceedings intensify with three timed assessments run after darkish on Thursday January 23 totalling 54.16 timed kilometres. Positioned within the departments of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes, the opening trio of levels embody the 21.18 kilometres of Faucon-du-Caire/Bréziers – the longest of the primary night time – and Avançon/Notre-Dame-du-Laus, which is ready to get below means at 21:06 native time over a distance of 13.97 kilometres. The rally restarts from Hole on Friday January 24 with the departments of Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence internet hosting the motion. Three repeated levels and a noon service halt in Hole are included on the itinerary, which covers a aggressive distance of 107.34 kilometres. The day-opening Saint-Maurice/Aubessagne check is the leg’s longest at 18.68 kilometres. Saturday’s (January 25) route is centred on the Drôme division with two loops of three new levels and 131.40 timed kilometres on supply. At 27.00 kilometres, the double-use La Motte-Chalancon/Saint-Nazaire stage is the rally’s longest. The deciding leg on Sunday January 26 marks the departure from Hole for the journey south to the end in Monaco. It consists of fifty.90 kilometres divided between three levels. The La Bollène-Vésubie/Peïra-Cava Energy Stage, which climbs the long-lasting Col de Turini, is because of start at 12h15.
RALLYE MONTE-CARLO DATA
Stage distance: 343.80 kmTotal distance: 1629.37 kmNumber of levels: 18
RALLY1 CONTENDERS
Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally TeamThierry Neuville defends his world title carrying the coveted #1 on his Hyundai i20 N Rally1, his twelfth consecutive season with the Korean producer. The Belgian is joined for a fifth yr by Estonia’s Ott Tänak and the staff’s French newcomer, Adrien Fourmaux. M-Sport Ford World Rally TeamGrégoire Munster would be the M-Sport Ford World Rally Workforce’s most skilled driver when he embarks on his second full season at Rally1 stage. Josh McErlean, a product of the Motorsport Eire Rally Academy, steps up from FIA WRC2 to pilot the second Ford Puma Rally1. Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Workforce Sébastien Ogier, the winner of the WRC title eight occasions, has gained Rallye Monte-Carlo on a report 9 events. Whereas Ogier is planning a partial occasion schedule for the fourth yr in 2025, double champion Kalle Rovanperä returns for a full season after he went half time in 2024. Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and FIA WRC2 champion Sami Pajari full the Toyota’s five-strong manufacturing facility line-up in GR Yaris Rally1 vehicles.
SUPPORTING CATEGORIES The recognition of the Rally2-based FIA WRC2 class is highlighted by a 24-car entry headed by Nikolay Gryazin (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Yohan Rossel (PH-Sport Citroën C3 Rally2), who completed third and fourth respectively in final yr’s standings. Léo Rossel graduates to FIA WRC2 because the French Tarmac champion and can accomplice his older brother Yohan at PH Sport, whereas Charles Munster, youthful brother of M-Sport Ford World Rally Workforce driver Grégoire, is entered in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2. Former winner François Delecour’s 17-year-old son Eliott Delecour makes his WRC debut on Rallye Monte-Carlo, as does French federation-supported Sarah Rumeau, who’s embarking on an FIA WRC2 marketing campaign with Sarrazin Motorsport – Iron Lynx. After claiming high FIA WRC3 honours on Rallye Monte-Carlo 12 months in the past, Jan Černý returns in FIA WRC2 along with his opposition together with Eric Camilli, Gus Greensmith and Roberto Daprà. Oliver Solberg is the highest seed within the RC2 class on his first look in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 however hasn’t nominated the occasion as one in all his scoring rounds. Diego Domínguez begins the defence of his FIA WRC3 title on Rallye Monte-Carlo with FIA ERC3 champion Filip Kohn stepping as much as FIA WRC2. Rachele Somaschini can also be stepping up from the FIA European Rally Championship and can use her participation to boost consciousness of cystic fibrosis, the genetic dysfunction she suffers from. Eamonn Boland is the main FIA WRC Masters Cup seed, the Irishman competing alongside Michael Joe “MJ” Morrissey, the 2024 FIA WRC Masters Cup champion co-driver.
THE SEASON AHEAD
View the FIA World Rally Championship occasion schedule for 2025 right here.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Media accreditation
Media accreditation should be collected in particular person by accredited cross holders from the Accreditation Desk, Media Centre, Centre Omnisport COSEC, Avenue de Traunstein, 05000 Hole, France.
The Accreditation Desk is open as follows:
Media Centre The Media Centre is situated as follows: Centre Omnisport COSEC, Avenue de Traunstein, 05000 Hole.
The next opening hours apply:
Mon. 20 January14:00 – 20:00Tue. 21 January08:00 – 20:00Wed. 22 January08:00 – 20:00Thu. 23 January08:00 – till the final accredited media consultant leavesFri. 24 January08:00 – till the final accredited media consultant leavesSat. 25 January07:30 – till the final accredited media consultant leavesSun. 26 January05:30 – till the final accredited media consultant leaves
A subsidiary Media Centre is situated at One Monte-Carlo, 1 Place du On line casino, 98000 Monaco. It’s open from 06:00 till the final accredited media consultant leaves on Sunday January 26.
Media actions and alternatives
Wed. 22 January 12:00 – 12:30Mandatory Tabard Media Security Briefing (Media Centre, Hole)14:00 – 14:45Hankook media presentation (Media Heart, Hole)14:45 – 15:15Autograph Signing for P1 drivers (Fan Zone, Hole)16:01 – 17:30Shakedown for P1 and invited crews (Route de la Garde, Hole, 3,28 km)17:31 – 19:00Shakedown for all Precedence crews (Route de la Garde, Hole, 3,28 km)18:30 – 19:30FIA WRC Media Pen for all P1 drivers (Fan Zone, Hole)19:01 – 20:30Shakedown for P2, P3 & non-Precedence crews (Route de la Garde, Hole, 3,28 km)20:00 – 21:00FIA WRC Media Pen for all P2 drivers (Fan Zone, Hole) Thu. 23 January 12:40 – 13:10Autograph Signing for all P1 crews (Place du On line casino, Monaco)13:10FIA WRC Rally1 vehicles official {photograph} (Place du On line casino, Monaco)13:20P1 and P2 drivers official {photograph} (Place du On line casino, Monaco)13:30FIA WRC Meet the Crews Half 1 dwell itws (Begin Ramp, Place du On line casino)13:40FIA WRC Meet the Workforce Managers dwell itws (Fan Zone, Hole)13:50FIA WRC Meet the Crews Half 2 dwell itws (Begin Ramp, Place du On line casino)14:00Grid presentation for all P1 crews and chosen P2 (Place du On line casino, Monaco)14:30Start of Part 1 (Place du On line casino, Monaco)22:45 (approx.)FIA WRC Meet the Crews (Fan Zone, Hole) Fri. 24 January 08:00Start of Part 2 (Service Park, Hole)19:30 hrs (approx.)FIA Meet the Crews, Top3 Workforce Principals & Top3 drivers (Fan Zone, Hole) Sat. 25 January 06:58Start of Part 4 (Service Park, Hole)19:15 (approx.)FIA Meet the Crews, Top3 staff principals & top3 drivers (Fan Zone, Hole) Solar. 26 January 05:48Start of Part 6 (Service Park, Hole)15:30FIA Submit-event Press Convention (Place du On line casino, Monaco)16:15Prize-giving ceremony (Place du On line casino, Monaco)
(All occasions native, approximate and topic to vary)
Media zones
Media Zones attended by all drivers and chosen staff representatives will function within the Media Zone space situated on the entry to the Service Park (Monaco for TC18A) as follows:TC3A, 6A, 9A, 12A, 15A and 18A
FIA WRC Meet the Crews dwell interviews, Place du On line casino, Thursday 23 January
13:30 – 13:40 – FIA WRC Drivers (showing from the Begin ramp, Monaco)Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT – Thierry Neuville (BEL), Hyundai i20 N Rally1M-Sport Ford WRT – Josh McErlean (IRL), Ford Puma Rally1 HybridToyota Gazoo Racing WRT – Sébastien Ogier (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 HybridToyota Gazoo Racing WRT – Kalle Rovanperä (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid 13:40 – 13:50 – WRC Producer Workforce Principals (becoming a member of dwell from the Fan Zone, Hole)Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT – Cyril AbiteboulM-Sport Ford WRT – Richard MillenerToyota Gazoo Racing WRT – Jari-Matti Latvala 13:50 – 14:00 – FIA WRC Help Championships (showing from the Begin ramp, Monaco)FIA WRC2 – Eric Camilli (FRA), Hyundai i20 N Rally2FIA WRC2 – PH Sport – Yohan Rossel (FRA), Citroën C3 Rally2FIA WRC2 – Rachele Somaschini (ITA), Citroën C3 Rally2FIA WRC2 – Sarrazin Motorsport – Iron Lynx – Sarah Rumeau (FRA), Citroën C3 Rally2FIA WRC3 – Diego Domínguez (PAR), Ford Fiesta Rally3
FIA Submit-event Press Convention, Place du On line casino, 15:30, Sunday 26 January High 3 drivers in total classification, profitable codriver and consultant of profitable manufacturerWinning FIA WRC2, WRC2 Challenger, WRC3 and Masters Cup drivers FIA WRC Meet the Crews dwell interviews and FIA Submit-event Press Convention broadcast on FIA and WRC social media channels.
RALLYE MONTE-CARLO MANUFACTURER ENTRIES
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRTThierry Neuville (BEL)/Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL) – #1 Ott Tänak (EST)/Martin Järveoja (EST) – #8 Adrien Fourmaux (FRA)/Alexandre Coria (FRA) – #16 M-Sport Ford WRTGrégoire Munster (LUX)/Louis Louka (BEL) – #13 Josh McErlean (IRL)/Eoin Treacy (IRL) – #55 Toyota Gazoo Racing WRTSébastien Ogier (FRA)/Vincent Landais (FRA) – #17 Elfyn Evans (GBR)/Scott Martin (GBR) – #33 Kalle Rovanperä (FIN)/Jonne Halttunen (FIN) – #69 Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2Sami Pajari (FIN)/Marko Salminen (FIN) – #5
RALLYE MONTE-CARLO ADDITIONAL RALLY1 ENTRIES
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Takamoto Katsuta (JPN)/Aaron Johnston (IRL) – #18
RALLYE MONTE-CARLO 2024 RESULTS
1. T Neuville (BEL)/M Wydaeghe (BEL) Hyundai i20 N Rally1 3h09m30.92s2. S Ogier (FRA)/V Landais (FRA) Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +16.1s3. E Evans (GBR)/S Martin (GBR) Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +45.2s
RALLYE MONTE-CARLO RECENT WINNERS
2024 Thierry Neuville (BEL)Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL) Hyunai i20 N Rally12023 Sébastien Ogier (FRA)/Vincent Landais (FRA)Toyota GR Yaris Rally12022 Sébastien Loeb (FRA)/Isabelle Galmiche (FRA) Ford Puma Rally12021 Sébastien Ogier (FRA)/Julien Ingrassia (FRA) Toyota Yaris WRC2020 Thierry Neuville (BEL)/Nicolas Gilsoul (FRA) Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC
