Almost two months exactly after the Rally of Japan (November 21 – 24), Thierry Neuville is preparing to get back behind the wheel of his Hyundai i20. The Belgian was able to break the champagne after his 6th place in Japan, which was enough to offer him his first world crown.
It is therefore with the label of reigning world champion that Neuville will present himself next Thursday in Digne-les-Bains, at the start of the first stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally, an event which he won last year in front of Sébastien Ogier.
The Frenchman, eight-time world champion and winner of the Monte-Carl' as many times, will want to shine on his childhood roads, he, the native of Gap, from where the shakedown will start. In addition to Neuville and Ogier, two other world champions will be at the start: Ott Tänak, crowned in 2019, will once again defend the colors of Hyundai, while Toyota records the full-time return of its star Kalle Rovanperä.
The Finn, twice titled (2022, 2023) had decided to treat himself to a lighter program in 2024 in order to recharge his batteries after two seasons as victorious as they were grueling. Finally, Ford M-Sport lost Adrien Fourmaux, who left for Hyundai, whom it replaced with beginner Josh McErlean, whose first laps at the wheel of the Puma Rally1 will be one of the attractions of the event.
Among the rookies, Sami Pajari will also make his debut as a starter with Toyota, after successful stints in 2024 and a title acquired in WRC2. The Finn is one of five Yaris entered by the TGR with Sébastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä, Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans, the reigning vice-world champion. All these beautiful people will be watching from Thursday 23 to Sunday 27 live on the Canal+ group channels!
The detailed TV program for the 2025 Monte-Carlo Rally
Thursday January 23, 2025
SS1 – Digne-les-Bains/Chaudon-Norante (19.01km): 6:05 p.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
ES2 – Faucon-du-Caire/Bréziers (21.18km) : 19h53 (Canal+Sport 360)
SS3 – Avançon/Notre-Dame-du-Laus (13.97km): 9:06 p.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
Friday January 24, 2025
ES4 – Saint-Maurice/Aubessagne (18,68km) : 09h31 (Canal+Sport 360)
SS5 – Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes/La-Bâtie-Neuve (16.68): 10:34 a.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
SS6 – La Bréole/Selonnet (18.31km): 11:42 a.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
ES7 – Saint-Maurice/Aubessagne (18,68km) : 15h23 (Canal+Sport 360)
SS8 – Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes/La-Bâtie-Neuve (16.68): 4:26 p.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
SS9 – La Bréole/Selonnet (18.31km): 5:34 p.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
Saturday January 25, 2025
SS10 – La Motte-Chalancon/Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert (27.00km): 08h59 (Canal+Sport 360)
ES11 – Aucelon/Recoubeau-Jansac (20,85 km) : 10h05 (Canal+Sport 360)
SS12 – La Bâtie-des-Fonts/Aspremont (17.85 km): 11:08 a.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
SS13 – La Motte-Chalancon/Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert (27.00km): 2:59 p.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
ES14 – Aucelon/Recoubeau-Jansac (20,85 km) : 16h05 (Canal+Sport 360)
SS15 – La Bâtie-des-Fonts/Aspremont (17.85 km): 5:08 p.m. (Canal+Sport 360)
Sunday January 26, 2025
SS16 – Avançon/Notre-Dame-du-Laus (13.97km): 06h39 (Canal+Sport 360)
SS17 – Digne-les-Bains/Chaudon-Norante (19.01km): 08:32 (Canal+Sport 360)
ES18 (Powerstage) – La Bollène-Vésubie/Peïra-Cava (17.92 km) : 12h15 (Canal+)
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In brief
The first round of the WRC calendar will begin on Thursday January 22 in Monaco. The opportunity to see Sébastien Ogier and the big names in the category in action on the Canal+ group channels.
