RALLY NOTEBOOK: MONTE-CARLO 2026 – REAL BEHIND-THE-SCENES NEWS
RAHILL’S BRUTAL BAPTISM Irish prospect Craig Rahill and co-driver Conor Wilson weren’t on the entry list, but they did participate in the recce.
This wasn’t a holiday, instead marking a massive step in his professional development.
ELECTRIC CASINO VIBES Monaco’s harbour offered a silent glimpse of the future as Andreas Mikkelsen and Calle Calberg piloted the Skoda and Opel electric rally machines…
SPATARO’S RALLY4 MASTERCLASS Andrea Spataro didn’t just win Rally4; he dismantled a field of more modern machinery in a privateer Peugeot 208., Spataro’s pace on the slushy Saturday morning loop was embarrassing for some WRC2 regulars. He drove with a “nothing to lose” attitude, proving that mechanical sympathy and local road knowledge are still the most potent weapons in the lower categories.
PELAMOURGUES’ STEALTH RUN Arthur Pelamourgues snatched a sensational tenth overall. Driving the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, the Frenchman stayed out of the ditches and broke into the overall points-scoring positions through sheer consistency and grit.
WALES’ TECHNICAL OBSESSION Stellantis chief François Wales was seen deep in the Lancia service bay late Saturday, bypassing the marketing teams to grill mechanics on the Ypsilon’s front-end geometry. Following minor off-road excursions for both lead cars, Wales was heard demanding data on upright durability and steering rack flex. It’s clear Lancia is obsessing over the technical survival of the Rally2 platform rather than just the promotional optics of their return.
DAPRÀ’S SKODA SURPRISE Roberto Daprà dragged his Skoda Fabia RS to eighth overall, outperforming several high-budget factory entries. He acted as the unofficial lead for the Czech brand this weekend, salvaging a top-ten finish when the more established Skoda “pros” were busy finding snowbanks.
VIGO’S HISTORIC SILVER Paolo Vigo claimed second in Rally4, becoming the first man to put the new Lancia Ypsilon on a WRC podium. While the Rally2 cars took the limelight, Vigo’s performance was the ultimate proof-of-concept for the Stellantis customer ladder.
M-SPORT’S UNSEEN RECORD The headline was the heartbreak of losing all three Pumas, but the real story was the end of a 24-year scoring streak. Behind the scenes, the atmosphere was sombre as the team realized the 231-rally run was over.
Kerry Motorsport News 