The mountains roared. The harbours echoed with engine scream. Snow and asphalt danced under turbocharged wheels. After four days of grit, grace, and turbocharged glory, the 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo crowned a new king and ushered in a new era for the world’s oldest and most revered rally.
A Crown in the Mountains: Solberg’s Historic Triumph
In a dramatic finale on the icy flanks of Col de Turini and ended under the Mediterranean sun, Oliver Solberg seized victory in the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo. At just 24, the Swedish powerhouse became not only a rally winner but a record-breaking champion, etching his name beside legend and legacy on the ever-challenging Alpine pistes.
Solberg’s performance wasn’t just fast, it was a masterclass of ice-bound precision, fearless overtaking, and strategic tyre wizardry on a course where weather conditions change quicker than a gearshift. Rain, mud, snow and ice tested every crew, turning the Alps into a living battleground.
The Podium: A Toyota Gazoo Racing Triumph
The podium read like a testament to Toyota’s Alpine dominance:
1. Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) defining breakthrough victory.
2. Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) Strong and steady, Evans claimed runner-up honours with consummate skill.
3. Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)The venerable multi-champion added yet another Monte-Carlo podium to his legendary tally.
Together, their results not only filled the podium with Toyota Gazoo Racing machines but underscored the team’s early-season prowess in the 2026 World Rally Championship.
Moments That Defined the Rally
This edition was far from predictable. Solberg outpaced every twist and frost-covered turn to secure a commanding win. Evans, consistent and composed, remained the chief challenger amid shifting conditions. Ogier showed veteran brilliance, proving his legacy isn’t just built on past victories but ongoing resilience.
Léo Rossel also claimed victory in the WRC2 category, proving that the next generation is more than ready to make its mark on Monte-Carlo’s snowy stages.
More Than Just a Race: A Story of Return, Revival and Royal Presence
Beyond the results, this 94th edition carried emotive threads that wrapped the rally in colour and spectacle.
A Super Special Returns to Port Hercule
For the first time since 2008, a high-octane Super Special stage unfolded around Port Hercule in Monaco, weaving World Rally Championship competition through the city streets and electrifying fans beside the harbour.
Lancia’s Comeback on the World Stage
In a narrative steeped in nostalgia and ambition, Lancia, a marque synonymous with Monte-Carlo glory made its much-anticipated return to the championship in the WRC2 category.
This renaissance isn’t just about mechanics and speed. It’s about heritage reborn, a brand that once wrote its name across rallying history now re-emerges with renewed spirit.
Prize-Giving, Celebrations — and The Prince
Port Hercule became a stage for celebration and recognition. The prize-giving ceremony was held at Quai Albert Ier, Port Hercule in Monaco on Sunday afternoon, where winners lifted their trophies amid cheers, champagne and the warm glow of winter sun.
Prince Albert II was a visible and supportive presence in the rally week. In the days leading up to the event, Prince Albert II also personally welcomed the opening of the 2026 World Rally Championship season on Port Hercule, joining drivers, teams and fans for the official launch event and even being presented with a signed rally helmet by the organisers, a clear symbolic endorsement of the Principality’s deep connection to the sport.
What the Monte-Carlo Rally Means Today
The Rallye Monte-Carlo has always been more than a sporting event, it is a rite of passage for champions, a proving ground where strategy meets chaos. It tests Brains and bravado, Studded tyres against dry tarmac, Youth versus experience where youth broke through.
In 2026, it proved that the future of rallying is bright, even as the echoes of its storied past, from Lancia’s legends to Ogier’s persistent excellence, continue to resonate.
