Monte Carlo Rally opens a new WRC Era

Today opens a new era of WRC rallying with the new generation of hybrid cars starting the traditional season opener in Monte Carlo. The first generation of hybrid car?s have electric motors assisting the tried and tested internal combustion engine for motivation.

On the driver front there are all the familiar faces but not all in familiar cars. Eight time champion Sebastian Ogier will start one of only five championship events he is doing this year driving his familiar Toyota Yaris with team mate and twice championship runner-up Elfyn Evans now perhaps the favourite for the 2022 title.

At M-Sport, Craig Breen has recovered from a sizeable testing crash and is ready to start a full season of WRC with usual co-driver Paul Nagle, while M-Sport teammate and nine time WRC winner Sebastian Loeb with start what is currently his only championship rally of the season also driving a Ford Puma alongside new co-driver Fabian Lurquin, a former members of his gravel notes team. Also crashing during January pre season testing was popular Belgian Thierry Neuville who damaged his Hyundai and will be hoping for a solid result in Monte to start his 2022 title campaign.

The first rally of the 13-round 2022 championship provides competitors with 184 miles over 17 challenging asphalt stages on sometimes snow covered and icy alpine roads between 20th and 23rd January.

If you are a potential spectator the message from the organisers is not to approach any stricken rally car until the green light is displayed on the top of the dashboard to denote the electric charging system and batteries have been neutralised and made safe!

20th January, 2022