Oliver Solberg claimed a historic Monte-Carlo Rally win, becoming the youngest winner of the WRC-era event as Toyota sealed a dominant 1-2-3 finish.
A Landmark Win at Rallye Monte-Carlo
The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship began with one of its most historic moments as Oliver Solberg claimed a sensational victory at the Rallye Monte-Carlo, becoming the youngest winner of the event in the WRC era.
At just 24 years old, the Swedish driver, co-driven by Elliott Edmondson, delivered a composed and controlled performance across the treacherous Alpine stages to secure his maiden Monte-Carlo triumph.
Toyota Opens the Season in Style
Solberg’s victory completed a perfect start to the season for Toyota Gazoo Racing, which locked out the entire podium on the opening round of the 2026 campaign.
Team-mate Elfyn Evans finished second, 51.8 seconds behind the winner, while nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier secured third place, extending Toyota’s dominance at rallying’s most iconic event.
Final-Day Drama on Icy Asphalt
Despite starting Sunday with a comfortable lead of over a minute, Solberg’s path to victory was briefly threatened on the icy hairpins of La Bollène-Vésubie. A small overshoot sent his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 momentarily facing the wrong direction, but the young Swede recovered quickly, losing only a handful of seconds.
He then reasserted control on the legendary Col de Turini Wolf Power Stage, demonstrating calm judgement and maturity beyond his years to safely bring the car home.
“The Most Difficult Rally of My Life”
Speaking at the finish, Solberg admitted the magnitude of the achievement was still sinking in:
“I don’t understand it at the moment. This has been the most difficult rally of my life. It’s my first tarmac rally in this car, and to win here is incredible. I want to thank Toyota for the trust and belief they’ve shown in me.”
Evans Maximises Points, Ogier Settles for Third
Elfyn Evans delivered a clean and consistent final day to secure second overall and emerged as the top scorer in the Super Sunday classification among Rally1 drivers.
Ogier, a ten-time Monte-Carlo winner, acknowledged that he could not match the pace of his team-mates in the constantly changing conditions, but still banked valuable championship points with a third-place finish.
Hyundai Best of the Rest
The only driver able to interrupt Toyota’s podium sweep was Adrien Fourmaux, who guided his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 to fourth place for Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, having claimed two stage wins during the rally.
Team-mate Thierry Neuville endured a frustrating final day after suffering a puncture early on Sunday, which dropped him to fifth overall and ended his hopes of bonus points.
Tough Sunday for M-Sport Ford
Sunday morning proved dramatic for M-Sport Ford. On his Rally1 debut, Jon Armstrong was running an impressive sixth before sliding off the road just 700 metres into SS16 and retiring.
Further disappointment followed as Josh McErlean also crashed out on the same stage, while Grégoire Munster was forced to retire due to a mechanical issue before the day’s opening test.
Rossel Claims WRC2 Victory
The reshuffled order promoted Léo Rossel to sixth overall, securing a convincing WRC2 victory. The top ten was completed by WRC2 podium finishers Roberto Daprà and Arthur Pelamourgues, with Eric Camilli rounding out the leaderboard.
Championship Continues in Sweden
The World Rally Championship now moves to Rally Sweden (12–15 February), the season’s only pure winter rally, where crews will tackle the frozen forest stages around Umeå for round two of the 14-event calendar.
Piston Kafalar Comment
Oliver Solberg’s Monte-Carlo victory feels like more than a breakthrough result. Combined with Toyota’s dominant 1-2-3 finish, it may mark the beginning of a generational shift at the top of the WRC in 2026.