WRC 2025 result after Round 1: Rallye Monte-Carlo

Toyota Gazoo Racing entered the new season with a mission to capture the WRC 2025 hat-trick: manufacturer, driver and co-driver titles. The legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo provided proof of that intent, with Sébastien Ogier claiming a record-extending tenth victory and Toyota securing a maximum points haul with its one-two finish. How did this WRC 2025 result play out? Read on as we review each day’s activities.

WRC 2025 result: Rallye Monte-Carlo

In the eight weeks since the conclusion of last year’s championship, the TGR team has been working hard to adapt to numerous regulation changes, the most notable of which was the deletion of plug-in hybrid powertrains. As a result, the minimum weight for top-flight cars fell from 1,260 to 1,180kg, while the air restrictor size was reduced from 36 to 35mm to maintain a similar power-to-weight ratio. What hasn’t changed, however, is that GR Yaris Rally1 (below) continues to run on 100% sustainable fossil-free fuel.

The oldest and most famous rally on the WRC calendar provided a familiar start to this year’s expanded, 14-round schedule, which features new events in the Canary Islands, Paraguay and Saudi Arabia.

Day 1

The new WRC season began in its usual style with competitors driving over the start ramp in Monaco’s Casino Square. From there, the crews drove north to a service zone where they had to select tyres in advance of the round’s three stages, which meant calculated guesses as to the conditions they would face in the mountains as darkness fell and temperatures dropped.

Nine-time Rallye Monte-Carlo winner Sébastien Ogier made a superb start, winning the opening stage almost four seconds ahead of team-mate Elfyn Evans. Ogier then went on to win a more slippery second stage by almost one second. However, grip levels were even less consistent in the final stage, where he slid wide in a muddy junction and conceded around 15 seconds. This allowed Evans to leapfrog into second, having set the fastest time in the third stage.

Fellow TGR driver Kalle Rovanperä came sixth overall after setting the third-best time in stage three. Takamoto Katsuta was eighth and Sami Pajari ninth after taking a safety-first approach as he began his first full season in Rally1 machinery.

Day 2

Inconsistent conditions marked day two, with some sections covered in ice and frost and too dangerous to navigate, while others were dry or muddy. Despite only being ninth-fastest in the morning’s slippery opening stage, Evans moved into the lead position. The following stage was cancelled due to treacherous conditions, and the last stage of the loop provided the opportunity for Ogier to move up into second – albeit via a heart-in-mouth wide moment.

Evans made the stronger start in the afternoon and won the first stage of the second loop. However, the following stage was the most slippery of the day and the Welshman lost a little time with a half-spin. Ogier, on the other hand, was on home turf (he grew up nearby) and demonstrated that familiarity by reclaiming the lead – a 12.6 second margin ahead of second-placed Evans.

Rovanperä showed stronger speed with a stage win in the morning’s first test and climbed from sixth to fourth at the beginning of the afternoon. Katsuta also improved his pace in the afternoon as he ended the day sixth, one place ahead of Pajari.

WRC 2025 result: Day 3

Conditions were drier and warmer for day three, though the twisting mountain passes of the French Alps still provided considerable challenges, especially as each passing car dragged more mud and gravel on to the road.

The overall standings were reversed to form the road order, which meant that Ogier (above) and Evans faced the dirtiest conditions. Nevertheless, Ogier was less than a second away from winning the morning’s first stage as he increased his lead with the aim of securing a record-extending tenth Rallye Monte-Carlo win. The top three closed up in the second stage, where Evans dropped into third place. But the Welshman responded in the fading light of the afternoon’s final test to retake second.

Although still not entirely satisfied with his car’s set-up, Rovanperä finished the day in fifth, just ahead of Katsuta who posted a strong third-fastest across the day. Pajari resides one place further back in seventh, giving Toyota a remarkable five positions in the top seven.

Day 4

Going into this final day, Ogier had accumulated a lead of 20.3 seconds over second-placed Evans. Yet their rivals were close behind and an early start combined with cold and wet conditions made for a difficult tyre choice. Both Toyota drivers opted to start on studded winter tyres but kept two supersoft slicks in reserve. The studded tyres were an ideal choice for the icy first stage prior to sunrise but less advantageous on the drier second stage, when other competitors had switched to slicks all round. Nevertheless, Ogier and Evans were able to retain their one-two positions.

The rally-ending Power Stage featured a mix of conditions, with a largely dry ascent and descent but icy at the top of the famous Col. All of the top three drivers selected a mix of slick and studded tyres for this important points-gaining stage. Once again, Ogier set the best time here and cemented his win, though Evans was less than a quarter second behind despite running wide and brushing a bank on his rapid descent to the finish.

Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen decided on a different tyre strategy, which paid off with a consistent, fourth-place performance throughout the final day’s challenging conditions. Meanwhile, Katsuta and Pajari started the day in sixth and seventh respectively but both unfortunately crashed out on the first stage.

With this win, Ogier joins team-mate Rovanperä and fellow two-time champion Carlos Sainz as the drivers who have achieved the most WRC victories for Toyota. The event was also Ogier’s tenth Monte-Carlo victory, three of which have been with Toyota. As a brand, Toyota has now won the event six times.

WRC 2025 result in Round 1: Rallye Monte-Carlo

WRC 2025 championship standings: drivers and co-drivers

WRC 2025 championship standings: manufacturers

WRC 2025: Where next?

The second round of the WRC 2025 calendar is Rally Sweden. It takes place on 13-16 February and is the only full winter event of the season. The stages require metal-studded tyres to bite into the frozen surfaces, yet this assisted grip also delivers some of the highest speeds and most dramatic racing of the entire year.

Learn more: How did last year’s WRC end for Toyota?