Teams are gearing up for a tougher Rallye Monte-Carlo following several regulation changes ahead of the 2025 WRC season opener set to take place from January 23 to 26.
This year’s event marks a significant milestone in the championship’s history, introducing new challenges and technical regulations that will test the mettle of drivers and teams alike.
The Rallye Monte-Carlo, renowned for its unpredictable weather and challenging terrain, serves as the perfect backdrop for the 2025 WRC season opener, attracting attention from fans and competitors around the globe.
The 2025 season promises to be a thrilling spectacle with an extended schedule of 14 rounds, including new events in the Canary Islands, Paraguay, and Saudi Arabia.
These additions reflect WRC’s commitment to expanding its global footprint while maintaining the rich heritage associated with classic rallies like Rallye Monte-Carlo which is steeped in tradition and is often considered the crown jewel of rallying, making it an essential part of any driver’s career.
One of the most notable regulation changes for the 2025 WRC season is the shift away from plug-in hybrid units in the top category of Rally1 cars. This regulatory alteration has resulted in a reduction of the minimum weight from 1,260 to 1,180 kilograms and a decrease in air restrictor size from 36 to 35 millimeters.
These adjustments aim to preserve a competitive power-to-weight ratio while simplifying vehicle dynamics for teams.
The introduction of Hankook as the sole tire supplier for the WRC‘s top categories further adds an element of intrigue, as teams must adapt their strategies and setups to optimize performance with new rubber ahead of Rallye Monte-Carlo.
The sporting regulations have also undergone revisions for the 2025 WRC season, reinstating a points system based on overall positions at the end of each rally. A victory will once again award drivers with 25 points, while additional points can be earned through Super Sunday classifications and Power Stages.
The return to traditional scoring methods is expected to promote competition throughout the season, encouraging drivers to push their limits at every event.
In preparation for these changes, teams have been diligently working on their vehicles. Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT), fresh off their manufacturers’ title win in Japan just eight weeks prior, has focused on refining their GR Yaris Rally1 ahead of Rallye Monte-Carlo.
The team has made significant modifications to accommodate the absence of hybrid power, including updates to exhaust systems and gear ratios.
Drivers such as Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä have expressed optimism about their prospects for the 2025 WRC season, emphasizing their readiness to tackle the challenges ahead.
Evans noted that despite limited testing opportunities due to new tire regulations, his team is prepared to adapt quickly during Rallye Monte-Carlo’s demanding stages.
“It’s very hard,“ said the 2024 WRC Champion. “At the moment, we still struggle a bit with it. But yeah, let’s see. I mean, we need to gain more experience and we’re going to only gain it in the stages.
“[The lack of testing] is a bit of a concern. I had a day in slush and wet. I will maybe get a bit of feedback on the snow, but I never drove the tire on a longer distance. I never drove the tire on dry Tarmac. So I don’t know what to expect, to be honest.
“What we can see is there’s a difference between the Pirelli and the Hankook, for sure. But we still need to find out what are all those differences. We are still discovering the tire.”
Rovanperä echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that while Rallye Monte-Carlo has not historically been his strongest event, he aims for a consistent performance that sets a positive tone for his championship aspirations.
“Monte is always a super-difficult place to start,” Rovanpera said. “But this year it can be even more with trying to learn the new tire in all different conditions. You need a good feeling with the car and the setup.
“The Hankook is definitely quite a different tire from what we had before, so there is definitely quite many things to learn from the tire, also to adapt the car setup. When the conditions are mixed like these will be, you need to feel confident and to trust the car as soon as possible.
“It’s going to be interesting. It’s not going to be easy.”
Sébastien Ogier, a veteran driver with multiple Rallye Monte-Carlo victories under his belt, shared his excitement about returning to this iconic rally. He highlighted the unpredictability of conditions at Rallye Monte-Carlo and the need for drivers to manage risks effectively throughout the event.
“There’s a lot of change with the tires and the car,” said Ogier. “This means, this year we probably arrive less prepared than ever – but I believe it will be the case of almost everybody at the start.”
Ogier’s experience will undoubtedly play a vital role as he navigates through challenging weather patterns that can shift dramatically from ice-covered roads to dry asphalt.
The anticipation surrounding Rallye Monte-Carlo extends beyond just TGR-WRT. M-Sport Ford World Rally Team is also gearing up for an exciting season with Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka leading their charge in the Ford Puma Rally1.
After a promising debut year, Munster aims for continued progress and hopes to secure a podium finish this season. The team’s preparations demonstrate their commitment to harnessing experience gained from previous events while adapting to new regulations.
Moreover, young talents like Sami Pajari are eager to make their mark in this competitive environment. Pajari expressed enthusiasm about his first full season with a Rally1 car and aims to build on his experiences from last year.
As teams finalize their preparations for Rallye Monte-Carlo, fans can expect an exhilarating start to the 2025 WRC season filled with drama, skillful driving, and strategic battles. The combination of regulation changes and experienced drivers creates an environment ripe for surprises and fierce competition.
The opening stages will commence in Monaco’s Casino Square before crews tackle three initial stages under darkness en route back to Gap service park.
Friday’s itinerary includes loops around Gap featuring three stages run either side of mid-day service—a format repeated on Saturday with additional tests introducing fans to new routes like Aucelon – Recoubeau-Jansac stage.
The final leg on Sunday will see competitors revisiting two stages from Thursday evening ahead of the climactic Power Stage at Col de Turini.
