WRC Shines as 2026 Season Launches in the Glitz and Glamour of Monaco
The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season was officially launched in spectacular fashion on Saturday evening, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Monaco Harbour. With luxury yachts, city lights and motorsport royalty in attendance, the world’s premier rally series ushered in a new era in front of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
For the first time, the 2026 WRC cars lined up side by side in their new liveries, dazzling fans and guests alike as they took to the stage amid the unmistakable glitz and glamour of the Principality. The launch event also marked several historic milestones for the championship, underlining the significance of the moment ahead of the iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo.
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the return of legendary manufacturer Lancia to the WRC. The Italian brand will compete in WRC2 during the 2026 season with the all-new Lancia Ypsilon HF Integrale, rekindling memories of one of rallying’s most successful names. The Lancia Ypsilon and the Škoda Fabia RS were the first cars to take the stage, ahead of the top-tier Rally1 machinery. Škoda Motorsport also celebrated a major achievement, marking its 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.”
said Lancia driver Yohan Rossel
M-Sport Ford was the first Rally1 team to appear, drawing attention to 2026 newcomer Jon Armstrong. The 2025 FIA European Rally Championship runner-up is set to make his Rallye Monte-Carlo debut next week.
“It’s definitely a dream come true. It’s going to be a big challenge, but we just have to enjoy it and hopefully be fast learners.”
Armstrong said
Also preparing for a Rally1 debut at Monte-Carlo is a familiar face to WRC fans. New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon returns to the top category with Hyundai Motorsport on a part-time programme, marking his first Rally1 start since 2018.
“We certainly didn’t expect to be standing here at the start of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Having little time to think about it was probably a good thing.”
said the former WRC rally winner
The evening concluded in style with reigning manufacturers’ champions Toyota GAZOO Racing taking to the stage. Leading the team was nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, who will begin the 2026 season carrying the prestigious number one on his door for the first time since 2022.
“I am always super excited to come here to Rallye Monte-Carlo to start the season. It is a special place for rallying in my eyes.”
Ogier said
To cap off the celebration, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was presented with a signed WRC helmet by WRC Promoter CEO Jona Siebel, bearing the signatures of the 2026 season’s crews.
Rallye Monte-Carlo officially gets underway on Thursday, 22 January, as crews are ceremonially waved off from Monaco before heading into the French Alps for the opening night stages. The rally returns to the Principality on Saturday night for the Monaco Circuit Super Special Stage through the streets of Monte Carlo, with the winner crowned on Sunday afternoon after the Wolf Power Stage.
The World Rally Championship is the FIA’s premier rally series, featuring high-performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing across 14 rallies in some of the planet’s most demanding environments, from icy winter roads to scorching gravel stages. More information is available at www.wrc.com.