The Rallye Monte-Carlo will open the 2025 WRC season this weekend (January 23-26) as the first event of a 14-race calendar.  Some significant changes have been made to the technical regulations ahead of the season, including the introduction of new tyres supplied by Hankook and the removal of the hybrid aspect of the power units. It’s set to be a tricky weekend for the teams as they adapt to the changes, but meaning there are plenty of things to keep an eye on as the WRC season gets underway.

Here are four things to look our for at the Rallye Monte Carlo:

1. New Hankook Tyres

Following a deal with WRC that was signed in November 2024, Hankook will exclusively supply the tyres for all categories for the next three years.  They have developed five tyres for use in WRC, which will operate as follows:

Ventus Z215: Tarmac tyre – For use in wet & dry tarmac conditions

Ventus Z210: Wet-weather tyre – Best for grip in adverse conditions

Dynapro R213: Multi-purpose tyre – Best for unpaved roads

Winter i*cept SR20: Non-studded tyres – Best for snowy conditions

Winter i*Pike SR10W: Studded tyres – Best for icy conditions

The drivers and teams will have the most complicated tyre selection for the Rallye Monte-Carlo, with two slick compounds, a studded winter tyre and a non-studded winter tyre available to them.  As always, tyre choice will be vital and as the teams have limited data on how these tyres perform in Monte-Carlo conditions, the order is bound to be shaken up.

The teams are not entering the event entirely blind to the tyre performance however, with some data gathering having been conducted at their testing sessions. The consensus from Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux following his test at Rallye National Hivernal in the i20 N Rally1 was positive: “I was happy with the tyres.  The slick is good. The winter needed a little bit of development, but it’s really good that Hankook is very open to talk about everything.”

“It was difficult to compare the tyre with that we’d been using in Japan for the last round of the championship.  In Japan, we had more corners and the grip was different, for the rally [National Hivernal du Devoluy] it was a Monte test, so the conditions were very different with snow and ice… On the whole it was positive.”

2. A new points system

The WRC will debut a new points system in 2025, with a simplified scale which will reward the top ten finishers in the following structure: 25-17-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.  Points will also be available on Super Sunday, with the five fastest across the complete Sunday stages earning points in the structure: 5-4-3-2-1.  The Wolf Power Stage will remain unchanged, again, with the five fastest teams earning up to an additional five points (5-4-3-2-1).  Unlike 2024, no points will be awarded based on Saturday position.

The changes to the points system mean that a maximum of 35 points will be available – up 5 from last year’s system which offered a maximum of 30. 

“This updated system builds on the general success of the 2024 format, which delivered unforgettable moments and fierce title fight”, said Peter Thul, Senior Director of Sport at WRC Promoter.

“We’ve made subtle but meaningful adjustments to further rewards rally wins and ensure the competition remains as thrilling as ever. Fans can expect even closer battles and dramatic finales in 2025.”

3. Technical changes to the Rally1 cars

In an effort to make the Rally1 cars cheaper, lighter, safer and easier to drive, the FIA made changes to the 2025 technical regulations which involved the removal of the hybrid power unit, a smaller air restrictor and lighter minimum weight.

The suppliers of the hybrid power, Compact Dynamics, had introduced new safety guidelines at the Acropolis Rally Greece in September 2024. 

The new guidelines stated that if the hybrid unit suffered one shock over 25G or three shock errors over 15G, it will need to be stripped and sent back to the supplier for a repair – which was often a lengthy process.  This significantly increased the difficulty of repairing a Rally1 car, and skyrocketed the costs for manufacturers.

These increased costs were pushing some teams to their financial limits, and the threat of losing one of WRC’s three manufacturers due to the costs associated with this regulation meant the FIA decided to remove the hybrid power from the Rally1 cars for the 2025 season. In light of this, the minimum weight of the Rally1 cars has been decreased from 1260kg to 1180kg, and a smaller air restrictor has also been introduced to the regulations – downsizing from 36mm to 35mm.

Outside of testing, the Rallye Monte-Carlo will be the first opportunity to see the Rally1 cars running with the new changes. Eight-time world champion and the most successful driver ever at Monte-Carlo, Sebastien Ogier feels the changes will affect their preparedness for the event, “We arrive less prepared than ever, but that’s the case for everybody at the start.  Whoever has adapted the best will have the best chance to win.”

4. Kalle Rovanpera’s full-time return to WRC

After competing in a partial WRC campaign last year, two-time world champion, Kalle Rovanpera will compete in the full 14-round season this year.  Despite only competing in seven WRC events last year, the Finn still secured four wins and helped Toyota to their fourth consecutive constructors’ championship.  Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala has high expectations for his driver, “I expect him to be fighting for the title, he is going to be fast for sure.”

Rovanpera also has set his sights on snatching the drivers’ title from Neuville, “Of course after last year Thierry has to be one of the top guys to beat and everybody is after him now.  We are after him and let’s see how it goes…. There is just one goal to try and win again and be fighting for the championship so of course I need to come back working hard.”

Toyota will enter five GR Yaris Rally1 cars into the Rallye Monte-Carlo: Elfyn Evans, Sebastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta, Kalle Rovanpera and new signing Sami Pajari – who won the 2024 WRC2 championship.