The 2026 World Rally Championship kicked off in dramatic fashion at the Rallye Automobile Monte‑Carlo, with snow, ice, and slush greeting the field in the legendary Alpine stages.
Day 1 saw Oliver Solberg deliver a commanding performance, navigating the tricky roads with precision to finish the opening leg at the top of the leaderboard.
His impressive pace through the stages gave him a clear advantage over his rivals, with a lead of more than 40 seconds by the end of the day.
Challenging weather forced drivers to make crucial tire and strategy decisions, and one stage was temporarily halted due to thick fog and limited visibility. Several top drivers, including reigning champion Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans, carefully managed their runs to avoid costly mistakes, while others experienced minor incidents that highlighted the rally’s notorious difficulty.
As Day 2 progressed, crews faced longer and more demanding stages, combining dry tarmac, icy patches, and snow-covered roads. Drivers had to balance speed with caution, adapting to the ever-changing conditions in the mountains.
Elfyn Evans remained close behind Solberg, gradually narrowing the gap, while competitors such as Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster leveraged smart tire choices to gain time on key stages.
The day’s running produced tense battles throughout the field, with each tenth of a second crucial in the fight for the lead. The challenging conditions tested both driver skill and team strategy, setting the stage for a dramatic weekend.
Across the first two days, the Rallye Monte‑Carlo reaffirmed its reputation as one of the toughest events on the WRC calendar. With Solberg leading and several competitors within striking distance, the opening round of the 2026 championship promises more thrilling action as crews continue to tackle the unpredictable Alpine roads in pursuit of victory.
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