This weekend’s Monte Carlo Rally kickstarts the 2024 WRC season where the title fight has been blown wide open following Kalle Rovanpera’s recent announcement.
The reigning, two-time world champion will partially contest the 2024 season to “recharge his batteries” ahead of a return to full-time competition in 2025.
Rovanpera’s absence leaves 2019 world champion Ott Tanak, his Hyundai team-mate and five-time runner-up Thierry Neuville and three-time runner-up Elfyn Evans as the favourites for the 2024 WRC crown.
Their championship fight will begin with the Monte Carlo Rally, which has returned to the south-eastern French town of Gap – it previously hosted the event from 2014-21 - while the principality undergoes infrastructure work. However, Monaco will still hold the ceremonial start and finish ahead of the official prize-giving ceremony.
The 2024 Monte Carlo Rally will also debut a new scoring system for WRC, as points are now on offer at the end of Saturday and Sunday to stop drivers from preserving tyres for the weekend closing Power Stage, which also offers bonus points.
So, here are the timings you need for the weekend and how to watch the season opening Monte Carlo Rally, which has a total competitive distance of 201 miles over snow and tarmac.
Source: Autosport