WRC Monte Carlo 2026 Testing Intensifies in the French Alps

WRC, Sportrik Media – All three manufacturer teams in the World Rally Championship have entered the final phase of preparation for the 2026 Monte Carlo Rally, with intensive testing sessions taking place in the French Alps just a week and a half before the season opening round.

After months of development on closed roads and in simulation, the mixed surface tests in the Alpine region represent the most critical validation stage ahead of Monte Carlo. The constantly changing combination of dry asphalt, ice and snow makes this rally unique on the calendar and forces teams to fine tune both mechanical and says.

Hyundai Motorsport was among the first to begin running, although its programme was disrupted earlier in the week by heavy snowfall. Reigning 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville was forced to pause his test when visibility dropped to near zero, but returned on Saturday to complete his schedule.

Neuville shared running time with Hayden Paddon at Hyundai’s new test base near Chateau de Lastours. The location is being used for the first time and was selected to replicate the extreme conditions of Monte Carlo, including rapid transitions between dry tarmac, wet asphalt and snow covered sections.

At Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Saturday’s testing concluded with young Finnish driver Sami Pajari completing his runs. Pajari showed strong pace at Monte Carlo last year until Sunday morning, when he slid into a ditch on a slippery section, ending his rally.

The first half of Pajari’s rookie season in the Rally1 category was challenging, but steady improvement followed. His breakthrough came at the Rally Japan, where he claimed his first WRC podium, strengthening Toyota’s confidence in his long term potential.

In the French Alps, Pajari was the final Toyota driver to take part in the test, as the team focused on suspension behaviour and differential settings, two key areas for coping with the unpredictable grip levels of Monte Carlo.

M Sport Ford also launched its Monte Carlo programme, with Irish driver Josh McErlean running on Saturday. McErlean suffered a minor off near the village of Valserres, just outside Gap, which serves as the rally’s service base.

The incident did not cause serious damage, but highlighted the fine margin between pushing for performance and running out of grip on Monte Carlo’s treacherous roads. For M Sport, the test is particularly important as it continues to refine the Ford Puma Rally1 for mixed surface rallies.

Each manufacturer approached the test with different priorities. Hyundai focused on validating aerodynamic and cooling performance in extreme cold, Toyota worked on mechanical balance and traction, while M Sport concentrated on component durability and driver confidence in risky conditions.

With only days remaining before the Monte Carlo Rally begins, the data gathered in the French Alps will define the early season direction. Monte Carlo has a history of reshaping the competitive order from the very first round, and this final test suggests that Hyundai, Toyota and M Sport are all entering 2026 with distinct technical philosophies and strong ambitions at https://sportrik.com/en.