- 1st: Oliver Solberg (SWE) / Elliott Edmondson (GBR) - Toyota: 4h 24m 59.0s
- 2nd: Elfyn Evans (GBR) / Scott Martin (GBR) - Toyota: +51.8s
- 3rd: Sebastien Ogier (FRA) / Vincent Landais (FRA) - Toyota: +2m 02.2s
- 4th: Adrien Fourmaux (FRA) / Alexandre Coria (FRA) - Hyundai: +5m 59.3s
- 5th: Thierry Neuville (BEL) / Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL) - Hyundai: +10m 29.8s
The final day was classic Monte: dry patches giving way to black ice, snowbanks lurking just inches off the racing line, and the Col de Turini playing judge, jury, and executioner. Solberg started Sunday with a slim but hard-earned lead and drove with a maturity well beyond his years, balancing restraint with moments of breathtaking commitment. His control through the Power Stage was decisive, backing up his overall victory with maximum bonus points and sending a clear message to the championship field.
Drama, inevitably, followed. The most notable retirement of the day was M-Sport driver Jon Armstrong in the Ford Puma, whose rally ended heartbreakingly on the second pass of Turini. Armstrong and co-driver Shane Byrne slid wide on a shaded left-hander, the car snapping into a snowbank and damaging the suspension beyond repair. It was a cruel end to a strong rally that had shown Armstrong’s growing confidence at the WRC level. “We were just caught out by the grip change,” Armstrong admitted. “That’s Monte — it gives, and it takes away.”
Behind Solberg, the fight for the podium was fierce but ultimately settled. The top three arrived back into Monaco to scenes of celebration, flares lighting the harbor as champagne flowed freely. Solberg was visibly emotional on the final control. “This one means everything,” he said. “Monte Carlo is the rally every driver dreams of winning. To do it here, with this team, and in these conditions — it’s unreal.”
Second place praised the winner’s composure, while third reflected on survival as the key to success. “You don’t beat Monte,” one podium finisher smiled. “You just respect it and hope it lets you through.”
