On the evening of January 19th, a ceremonial start to the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) season took place at the Casino Square in Monaco. Leaders, partners, drivers, and co-drivers gathered on the eve of the 93rd Monte Carlo Rally to hold a presentation and share their expectations.
The roar of engines in the Carré d'Or district, the teams ready for competition, and the podium – at 6:00 PM, the Casino Square came alive for the launch of the new WRC season, which starts precisely in the Principality. This year, three teams – Hyundai, Toyota, and Ford – will participate in 14 stages, and 10 official crews are ready to compete for the title. WRC Executive Director Jona Siebel noted: “It is a great honor for us to start the season here, in such a unique atmosphere. The Monte Carlo Rally is a brand filled with emotion, heritage, and passion”.
The ceremony was also attended by the President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a former rally driver in the Middle East. For an hour, spectators enjoyed a demonstration of cars from the three manufacturers and performances by drivers and co-drivers.
Before the start of the season, the crews met with journalists to discuss the innovations. The main topics were the new regulations and tires from the new supplier Hankook, as well as the upcoming first stage.
“The Monte Carlo Rally is one of the most legendary competitions in WRC history, if not the most prestigious. Every driver dreams of winning here at least once in their life,” confessed Thierry Neuville, the current stage winner. The world champion, who has lived in Monaco for ten years, stated that he aims for a third victory on the local track. However, he realizes that the competition will be tough. Among his main rivals are his teammates Ott Tänak and Adrien Fourmaux, as well as Kalle Rovanperä, who has returned to a full schedule with Toyota, and Elfyn Evans, who is striving for his first world title.
Evans, a Welsh driver, has never won the Monte Carlo Rally; his best result is second place in 2021.
“This is one of the most challenging events of the year due to the constantly changing conditions. There is always an element of surprise here”, he noted.
Thierry Neuville emphasized that “everything starts from scratch”, but his goals remain the same.
“We are starting a new season with the same ambitions and motivation”, the Belgian stated. With the number 1 on his car, symbolizing his title from last season, Neuville is calm and confident.
“There is less pressure on us in the championship race, but there is still a need to perform at a high level and earn points for the team”, he added. It is worth recalling that last season, Toyota snatched the manufacturers' title from Hyundai in the final stage on their home track in Japan. Will the South Korean team be able to take revenge in 2025? Time will tell.
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