Rallye Monte-Carlo Preview: the opener of a new era or the return of the champions! Who has what it takes to win?

The Monte-Carlo Rally ushers in a new hybrid era and, not least, the 2022 season. Sébastien Loeb has already announced his spectacular comeback in recent days, making the fight for the overall championship all the more even. Who do you predict will win this rally?

It’s finally here, a new season and the start of a new era. The WRC is going to be a very attractive spectacle for all its fans. After a break, legendary French driver and nine-time champion Sébastien Loeb returns to the WRC.

However, it is unclear how many events Loeb will be competing in, as only Monte-Carlo has been confirmed. But it is likely that the French racer will choose other races. Together with his biggest rival ever, Sébastien Ogier, they will only race in the sub-events of the 2022 season.

Indeed, the eight-time world champion has retired from the main WRC programme and will only choose individual events. However, in Monte-Carlo, he is hoping for another overall triumph!

“As always, it’s exciting to drive in Monte-Carlo and I’m really looking forward to it. Even though I won’t be racing in the main programme anymore, I’m still a racer and I want to win. I’m always working to give my all in a particular event and that’s what I’ll do in Monte-Carlo,” Ogier said in an interview with WRC.

However, he will no longer have his traditional co-pilot by his side, who has accompanied Ogier throughout his career. Julien Ingrassia officially retired as co-pilot at the end of the 2021 season, so Benjamin Veillas will accompany the French driver in the new era.

However, the fans will see a truly historic battle in Monte-Carlo. Loeb holds nine World Championship titles, making him the most successful WRC driver. Ogier has just one less. No other driver has won the title since 2004 (apart from the 2019 season when Ott Tänak won the title – ed.).

The Monte-Carlo Rally has had different winners in the last two seasons. Last year, Ogier dominated the rally, while the 2020 edition was marked by a Belgian victory for Thierry Neuville.

In 2014 – 2019, however, it was Ogier who reigned supreme in Monte-Carlo, and he will be the main aspirant for the overall championship of this rally again this year.

So what could the final standings look like? Thursday morning’s shakedown suggests that both Ogier and Loeb, as well as Neuville and Elfyn Evans, will be fighting for the win.

So who are you betting on?