The 92nd Monte-Carlo Rally kicked off on Thursday afternoon, with new routes at higher altitudes and more demanding conditions. This year’s event will test the skills of seasoned drivers amidst the challenging landscapes of the French Alps.
The 92nd edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally, a pivotal event in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship, launched with an opening ceremony at Monaco’s Place du Casino. This year, the rally introduces a route that explores higher altitudes across five French departments, setting the stage for potentially more demanding snowy conditions.
The event sees the participation of 68 entrants, including seasoned drivers like Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, and Ott Tänak. Teams were engaged in finalising their setups on vehicles such as the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 and the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, gearing up for the diverse challenges of the rally.
See also: Line-up for Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo revealed
During the opening ceremony, drivers engaged with the fans, offering a rare glimpse of the personalities behind the wheels of this challenging race.
Challenging journey
The rally officially started on 25th January at 4:52pm from the Casino Square in Monaco. The first night includes two stages, ‘Thoard / Saint-Geniez’ and ‘Bayons / Bréziers,’ challenging drivers with night-time navigation.
The following days will see the rally traverse a variety of landscapes and departments. The second leg involves a three-stage loop east of Gap, while the third leg covers three departments with geographically dispersed stages, increasing the level of difficulty.
The rally concludes on 28th January with three stages between Gap and Monaco, ending with the ‘La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini’ stage, crucial for determining the rally’s outcome. The prize-giving ceremony, marking the end of this year’s rally, is scheduled for 4:15pm at the Casino Square.
The Monte-Carlo Rally continues to be a significant and challenging event in the World Rally Championship. With its new focus on higher altitudes and the likelihood of more snow, this year’s edition is poised to test the resilience and skill of the participating drivers and teams.
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