The rally was initially created to attract the European jet set to Monte-Carlo.
Each vehicle taking part would set off with a team from the city in which they had entered the race. The route linking the city with Monte-Carlo, which followed a precise itinerary and was subject to certain constraints, constituted the challenge.
At that time, crossing Europe in the middle of winter was a feat in itself. In addition, to win the competitors had to stick to an average schedule set by the organisers.
From the different departure cities in all four corners of Europe, the vehicles then converged on a single location in order to rally in Monaco. It was this feature that established the Rallye Monte-Carlo’s reputation until the mid-1990s.
Today, the race crosses the South of France, through the Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Drôme, Hautes-Alpes, Isère and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments before reaching Monaco.
Since 1998, the Automobile Club de Monaco has organised a challenge especially for vintage cars: the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. It follows the routes, and more importantly the spirit, of the gentleman driver’s rally during the 1950s–1970s, and adds the so-called “concentration leg” that is popular with those who are nostalgic for the era.
Over the years, this GT challenge, the opening leg of the FIA World Rally Championship, has become an unmissable event on the international motorsports calendar.
Sébastien Ogier won the Monegasque title for the ninth time in 2023. A record. This puts the eight-time world champion ahead of Sébastien Loeb, who won his eighth Rallye de Monte-Carlo at the age of 47 with his new co-driver, Isabelle Galmiche (his other victories were achieved with the Monegasque national Daniel Elena).
Walter Röhrl from Germany, Tommi Mäkinen from Finland (both with four victories to their name), Didier Auriol from France and Carlos Sainz from Spain (three wins each) have also carved their names on this storied trophy.
This rally is what made me want to become a driver (…) A victory as celebrated as one in Monte-Carlo is absolutely priceless!
Sébastien Ogier
