Rallye Monte-Carlo opens 52nd WRC season

This week marks the return of the FIA World Rally Championship in its 52nd season with one of the most legendary motorsport races, Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Running from 25-28 January, the first round of a thirteen race 2024 season sees a full capacity of 70 cars entered.

A new points system also comes into play in this WRC season with up to 18 points on offer on the general classification after Saturday and a further seven points for Sunday exploits. This is designed to bring more excitement to the rally’s closing stages on a Sunday morning and maintain the core concept of determining an overall rally victor. Sticking with tradition, the crew with the lowest total time across the entire event will be crowned the winner.

The rally starts in Monaco’s Casino Square on Thursday afternoon. All cars face 17 different speed tests covering 324.44km before Sunday afternoon’s finish back in the Principality.

Three GR Yaris Rally1 cars will be fielded by reigning manufacturers’ champion Toyota Gazoo Racing, driven by Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Ktsuta and nine-time Monte-Carlo winner Sébastien Ogier. Ogier will be aiming for a record 10th title on familiar roads of his hometown and race host town of Gap.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool