Rally Monte Carlo

The winding alpine roads of the French Alps host the curtain raiser on the 2022 World Rally Championship, with the drivers racing along the fittingly stunning but demanding mountain roads. Varied conditions on the tracks make for a difficult weekend for competitors, with high elevations, gradients and mixed conditions throughout the weekend catching even the most experienced drivers out.

With Rally Monte Carlo hosting the first race of the 2022 season, fans will see the brand new generation of WRC cars. For the first time, they will combine a combustion engine of 380 bhp with an extra battery of 100kw (136 bhp), giving them a total power of 516 bhp. In addition to this, they will also use synthetic fuel, demonstrating the championships drive to future-proof the sport.

The centrepiece of the Rally Monte Carlo is Col de Turini, one of the world’s most famous rally stages. The 31km stage climbs up the mountain, with conditions oscillating between dry and snowy – exacerbated by the crowds of spectators who will throw snow onto the circuit, creating an extra hurdle for the drivers navigating tight passes and narrow walls.

The 2022 race will be as exciting as ever, with 95% of the route modified compared to the previous year’s event. There will be the official opening at the iconic Casino Square in the principality before the cars move out onto the road. This year, crews will relocate from the small French town of Gap to the Servicepark in the principality of Monaco, where the official Prize Ceremony and ceremonial start will take place in Casino Square.