H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco among guests to welcome in the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship season
The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship season was heralded in against the stunning backdrop of Monaco Harbour on Saturday evening in front of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Lining up next to each other in their 2026 liveries for the first time, the cars of the WRC shone among the glitz and glamour of Monaco, with the evening additionally marking a number of milestones.
Among those was the return of Lancia to the WRC, who will contest WRC2 this season in the all-new Lancia Ypsilon HF Integrale. Both the Ypsilon and the Škoda Fabia RS preceded the Rally1 cars on the stage, with Škoda Motorsport marking their 125th anniversary in 2026.
“This is an iconic brand, I have looked at a lot of images and videos [from Lancia in the past] and this is a dream come true for me,” stated Lancia driver Yohan Rossel.
First of the Rally1 crews to take the stage was M-Sport Ford, with all eyes on 2026 newcomer Jon Armstrong, who next week will tackle Rallye Monte-Carlo for the first time.
“It's definitely a dream come true. It's going to be a big challenge. We knew that coming here and we just have to try and enjoy it...hopefully we will be fast learners,” said the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship runner-up.
Also making a debut in a Rally1 car next week, but certainly no stranger to the top category of the WRC is Hayden Paddon. The New Zealander has returned to Hyundai Motorsport for a part-time programme in 2025 – marking his first WRC top category outing since 2018.
“We certainly didn't expect to be standing here at the start of Rallye Monte-Carlo. I think having little time to think about it was probably a good thing,” said the one-time WRC rally winner.
The best was saved for last with 2025 WRC Manufacturer Champions Toyota GAZOO Racing the final team to take to the stage, led by reigning champion Sébastien Ogier, who will start the 2026 season with the number 1 on his door for the first time since 2022.
“I think the important thing is I am always and still super excited to come here to Rallye Monte-Carlo to start the season. It is a special place for rallying in my eyes,” said the nine-time world champion.
Capping off the evening, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was presented a WRC helmet, signed by this season's crews, by WRC Promoter CEO Jona Siebel.
Rallye Monte Carlo officially gets underway on Thursday (22 January) when the crews return to the same location in Monaco to be ceremoniously waved off, before heading high into the French Alps to tackle three stages in the night.
The rally winds its way back into the Principality by Saturday night for the Monaco Circuit Super Special Stage through the streets of Monte Carlo, with the winner being crowned on Sunday afternoon following the rally-ending Wolf Power Stage.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is the FIA’s premium rally series. It showcases high-performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing in dramatic surroundings, ranging from Sweden’s freezing winter to Kenya’s heat and rocky tracks. Participants battle for drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles at 14 rallies. More information can be found at www.wrc.com.
