The highly anticipated Monte-Carlo Rally has officially begun, marking the start of the 2025 World Rally Championship season. The action commenced at 16:00 with the shakedown held on the 3.28km Route de la Garde stage, providing teams and drivers their first chance to shake off the rust and test their setups in real-world conditions. While snow is a trademark of Monte-Carlo, this year’s event began under rainy skies, adding a slippery challenge to the iconic rally.
Ott Tänak came out swinging, making a strong statement with just two runs. His fastest, a blistering 2:09.8 on the first attempt, put him at the top of the time sheets. Kalle Rovanperä followed closely with a 2:10.5, while the Monte-Carlo master Sébastien Ogier clocked 2:10.6 to claim third. With such tight margins between the leading drivers, the battle for supremacy is already heating up.
After the WRC’s top-tier drivers wrapped up their runs, the Priority 2 drivers took to the stage. All eyes were on Oliver Solberg, who made his debut behind the wheel of a Toyota. The young talent didn’t disappoint, setting the fastest time in the category with a 2:17.2. However, the session wasn’t without drama— Matthieu Margaillan’s run came to an abrupt halt when he went off at a spectator point. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident served as a reminder of Monte-Carlo’s unforgiving nature.
This year’s shakedown also marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time drivers tested the new Hankook tyres in competitive conditions. With rain already complicating matters, the drivers are still learning how the tyres will perform over the diverse and unpredictable terrain that defines Monte-Carlo.As the rally moves into the competitive stages, all eyes will be on the drivers to see how they adapt to the ever-changing conditions.
With no snow yet but plenty of rain, and a tightly packed leaderboard already emerging, the Monte-Carlo Rally is poised to deliver its trademark mix of unpredictability and excitement. Let’s see how the stages unfold— will Tänak take the lead, or will Rovanperä, Ogier, and the rest of the field mount a charge? Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying start to the WRC season.