Rev Your Engines: Unveiled, Monte Carlo Rally 2025 will be No Walk in the Park!
The 93rd edition of the Monte Carlo Rally promises to be a formidable test for competitors, kicking off the 2025 World Rally Championship with an arduous route unveiled by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM). Spanning January 23-26, 2025, this year’s rally returns to the rugged terrain around Gap, after a shift to Monaco in 2022 and 2023.
A Demanding Route
This edition’s route is characterized by its grueling 18 special stages, demanding both drivers’ skill and endurance over a total of 343.59 kilometers—an increase of nearly 20 kilometers from the previous year. The rally opens with a shakedown in Gap on January 22, where competitors will tackle a 3.28 km segment to warm up their engines and nerves.
The official start on January 23 in Monaco will lead into the first three night stages: Digne-les-Bains/Chaudon-Norante (19.01 km), Esparron/Oze (18.32 km), and Avançon/Notre-Dame-du-Laus (14.90 km), combining for 52.23 km of timed sections that set an early competitive tone.
Testing the Limits
Friday, January 24, raises the stakes with three stages run twice: Saint-Maurice/Aubessagne (18.70 km), Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes/La Bâtie-Neuve (16.68 km), and La Bréole/Selonnet (18.31 km). Covering 107.38 km in total, these stages wind through the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, testing the mettle of both cars and crews.
The Longest Day
The third day, January 25, shifts the focus to the Drôme region, featuring the longest and most challenging leg of the rally at 132.10 kilometers. Competitors will navigate a loop of three stages twice: La Motte-Chalancon/Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert (27.30 km), the debut of Aucelon/Recoubeau-Jansac (20.91 km), and La Bâtie-des-Fonts/Aspremont (17.84 km). This segment is expected to be the ultimate trial of endurance and skill.
The Final Push
On the final day, January 26, drivers will head back toward Monaco, covering 51.88 kilometers across three stages: Avançon/Notre-Dame-du-Laus (14.90 km), Digne-les-Bains/Chaudon-Norante (19.01 km), and the climactic La Bollène-Vésubie/Peïra-Cava (17.97 km), which includes the iconic Col du Turini and serves as the Power Stage.
The prize-giving ceremony is targeted for Sunday on the place du Casino from 4:15pm.
Looking Ahead
As competitors prepare for this intense rally, they aim to dethrone reigning champion Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) while challenging Sébastien Ogier’s (Toyota) record of nine victories. The extra mileage and challenging terrain of this edition ensure that the Monte Carlo Rally remains one of the most prestigious and demanding events in the World Rally Championship calendar.
The 2025 Monte Carlo Rally not only marks the beginning of a new season but also sets the stage for thrilling competition and remarkable displays of rallying prowess, promising a spectacle that will be remembered for years to come.
