Tens of thousands of spectators brave the cold to herald in dazzling start to the 2024 season.
The 2024 FIA World Rally Championship started in spectacular fashion on Thursday evening (25 January) as tens of thousands of fans lined the Les Tourniquets mountain pass northwest of Monte-Carlo to welcome in the new season.
The 13-round calendar was given a royal send-off from Casino Square in downtown Monaco when His Serene Highness The Prince of Monaco turned out to wave off the 70 cars competing in the 92nd edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Competitors then made their way high into the French Alps for the opening two stages of the year.
Welshman Elfyn Evans led the way. Taking advantage of being first on the road, he navigated his Toyota Yaris GR Rally1 to a commanding 15.1sec lead after the two stages in front of the devoted spectators who braved freezing conditions at over 1000m above sea level.
The spectacular shots were beamed into more than 100 countries around the world via 30 broadcasters, whilst WRC’s flagship streaming platform Rally.TV experienced a 15 per cent increase in viewership compared to 2023’s opening night.
“WRC has some of the most dedicated fans in the world. To see them turn out in their thousands in freezing conditions on a Thursday night is just incredible. It is what makes this sport so special,” beamed WRC Promoter’s Senior Director of Events Simon Larkin.
Action continues throughout the French Alps, before finishing on the Monaco waterfront on Sunday afternoon.
