What should we expect from Monte-Carlo 2023?

That's it, the WRC is making a comeback. A little more than two months after the last round of the 2022 season in Japan, the World Rally Championship is already starting 2023. As tradition dictates, the competitors will meet in the south of France for the historic Rally Montecarlo.

A year ago, Sébastien Loeb et Sébastien Ogier offered us a battle worthy of the name which took them to the final stages of the Monegasque classic. This year, the situation will be somewhat different. Indeed, the nine-time world rally champion is not among the 75 entered in the Monte-Carlo Rally. But despite the absence of the Alsatian, this 91^e edition could offer us a great show to get the 2023 financial year off to a good start.

Rovanperä-Ogier, internal duel to come?

After the title, transfer of power in Monte-Carlo to come for Sébastien Ogier? ©DPPI/N. Katikis

For this first event of the year, all the spotlights, or almost all, will be focused on Toyota. The Japanese manufacturer is in fact the big favorite for victory. It must be said that its crews look great, notably Kalle Rovanperä, the reigning world champion, and Sébastien Ogier, already crowned eight times.

Rovanperä knows it, he will be eagerly awaited on the southern passes where he will present himself for the first time as world champion. By opening the road on Thursday evening and Friday, the Finn will have to raise his voice while taking as few risks as possible to hope to be in a good position to fight for victory, his first in the Monaco classic.

Sébastien Ogier no longer needs to be told what Monte-Carl is. Core record holder for victories on site (8) with Sébastien Ogier, the Gapençais is logically one of the big favorites, if not the big favorite. On his land that he knows like the back of his hand, the Habs are a formidable pilot capable of quickly outpacing their rivals. After losing the Monte-Carlo to the wire against Sébastien Loeb last year, the eight-time world champion intends to return to the charge to become the only record holder of the event.

Neuville and Tänak as outsiders?

Ott Tänak-Thierry Neuville, teammates and opponents. ©DPPI/N. Katikis

Be careful though, not everything will be Toyota in this 91^e edition. Hyundai et M-Sport also worked during the winter break, whether on a technical or recruitment level. Among the South Koreans, Thierry Neuville is once again the spearhead after the departure of Ott Tänak. Manhandled in 2022, the Belgian finished the season well with two victories (Greece and Japan) in the last four events, thus confirming his return to form for 2023.

Now closer to Toyota than it was at the start of the season last year, Hyundai has stepped up its efforts during the winter. With the arrival of Cyril Abiteboul as the main team, the South Koreans hope to regain the stability and competitiveness necessary to shake up the Japanese, who are a little too comfortable in 2022.

On the classic roads we must also not forget Ott Tänak. Having left Hyundai where everything was not going very well, to say the least badly, the Estonian found his first love in the WRC, M-Sport. Freed from the various problems that may have hampered him throughout the previous campaign, the Estonian appears to be a real threat to his opponents. The smile found in Malcolm Wilson, the 2019 world champion is once again in a comfortable environment which could allow him to be among the contenders for victory in Monte-Carlo and the title later in the year.

Certainly the Rally1 field is sparse with only 10 cars but this 91^e Rallye Monte-Carlo could offer us a great show to kick off the season. Enter Kalle Rovanperä who wants to confirm that he is the new master of the WRC, Sébastien Ogier who is aiming for 9^e victory at home and vengeful drivers like Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, a large part of the ingredients seem to come together to have a good weekend.

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