Solberg Stuns in the Dark: Ice and Fog Define Chaotic Monte-Carlo Opener

GAP, FRANCE – The 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo roared into life on Thursday night, delivering a quintessential "Night of the Long Knives" that turned the leaderboard on its head. Under the pitch-black skies of the French Alps, the 2026 season opener reminded the world that in the WRC, bravery often outweighs machinery. But it wasn't a veteran master taming the elements; it was 24-year-old Oliver Solberg, promoted to the factory Toyota Gazoo Racing squad, who emerged from the frozen chaos as the shock leader.

The drama began on SS1 (Toudon – Saint-Antonin), a classic test returning after a 17-year hiatus. On wet but manageable tarmac, Elfyn Evans drew first blood for Toyota, edging Solberg by 5.6 seconds. However, the rally truly began on SS2 (Esclangon – Seyne-les-Alpes). The notorious stage, absent since 2016, was a nightmare of black ice and slush. While others tiptoed, Solberg threw caution to the wind, decimating the field with a time over 30 seconds faster than his nearest rival. His daring performance on the studded rubber vaulted him into a commanding lead, leaving legends like Sébastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville trailing in his wake.

The final test of the night, SS3 (Vaumeilh – Claret), descended into farce as thick fog blanketed the mountain. Visibility dropped to near zero, prompting furious radio messages from crews. Sébastien Ogier, hunting his 11th Monte victory, mastered the gloom to set the fastest time before the stage was eventually red-flagged for safety reasons. The neutralization caused confusion, but the headline remained: Solberg heads to the overnight halt with a stunning 44.2-second cushion.

In the Rally1 field, the surprises continued with rookie Jon Armstrong. The Irishman, making his top-flight debut in the M-Sport Ford Puma, drove with maturity beyond his years. despite a scare on SS3 where he slid off the road, the red flag protocol saw him awarded a notional time, keeping him firmly in the fight for a podium position—a sensational start for the underdog.

It was a disastrous night, however, for Toyota's other rising star. Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen saw their rally end almost before it began. Pajari crashed heavily early in the loop, retiring his GR Yaris Rally1 on the spot. Both crew members were reported unhurt, but the damage to the car was terminal for the day.

In WRC2, the battle was equally fierce. The much-anticipated return of Lancia saw a mixed start, with their Ypsilon Rally2 machines showing pace but struggling for consistency against the established order. Frenchman Eric Camilli capitalized on his local knowledge to lead the category in his Škoda Fabia RS, holding off a spirited charge from Léo Rossel in the Citroën.

As crews head to Gap for the short overnight rest, the service park is buzzing. The tire lottery has only just begun, and with more snow forecast for Friday's leg, the mountain is far from finished.

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Standings After Day 1 (SS3)

Overall Top 10 (WRC1 & WRC2 Mix)

1. Oliver Solberg (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – 38:42.5* (Time est.)
2. Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) +44.2s
3. Sébastien Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) +1:08.7
4. Jon Armstrong (Ford Puma Rally1) +1:12.4
5. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) +1:15.9
6. Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) +1:44.0
7. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) +1:55.2
8. Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) +2:10.5
9. Eric Camilli (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +3:45.1 [1st WRC2]
10. Léo Rossel (Citroën C3 Rally2) +3:52.8 [2nd WRC2]

WRC2 Top 5

1. Eric Camilli (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2)
2. Léo Rossel (Citroën C3 Rally2) +7.7s
3. Chris Ingram (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +14.2s
4. Arthur Pelamourgues (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) +25.6s
5. Cédric Cherain (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +38.9s

(Note: Times for SS3 are provisional due to the red flag and notional times awarded to later runners.)

Report: Neil McDaid 

The Digital Maverick’s Destiny: Jon Armstrong and the Great Irish Ascent to Rally1

 

For twenty years, I have stood in the mud-soaked ditches of the Donegal hills and the frozen passes of the Col de Turini, waiting for that one specific sound: the engine note of a driver who refuses to lift. I have chronicled the era of Loeb, the reign of Ogier, and the tragic, soaring spirit of the late Craig Breen. But today, standing in the service park on the eve of the 2026 WRC season, I am witnessing something that defies the modern laws of motorsport. Jon Armstrong, the Fermanagh man who was once written off as a "gamer" without a budget, has officially taken his seat as a factory driver for M-Sport Ford in the brutal Rally1 category.

Armstrong’s rise is not merely a career—it is a resurrection. A decade ago, he was a precocious talent lighting up the British Rally Championship, but the brutal, cold reality of motorsport finance hit him like a concrete wall. By 2017, the funding dried up, and the helmet was nearly hung up for good. Yet, where others would have drifted into the "what could have been" category, Armstrong pivoted. He conquered the virtual world, winning the 2018 WRC eSports Championship, using a gaming wheel to prove his "pixel-perfect" precision was a match for anyone on Earth.

That digital detour was the spark that reignited a fire in Cumbria. Malcolm Wilson, a man with a legendary eye for raw talent, saw the steel in Armstrong’s eyes. The road back was paved with grit and "shoestring budgets," fighting through the Junior WRC trenches. However, his 2025 campaign in the European Rally Championship (ERC) served as the final ultimatum to the WRC establishment. Finishing as the 2025 ERC Runner-up with dominant victories in Croatia and Wales, Armstrong made it "impossible to ignore" him for the top flight.

This monumental leap for 2026 is bolstered by a historic partnership. Motorsport Ireland has stepped up with an expanded collaboration, providing the crucial backing that allows Armstrong to join fellow academy driver Josh McErlean in an all-Irish factory assault. Crucial, too, has been a steadying force off the stages. Armstrong’s partner, Hollie McRae—daughter of the immortal Colin McRae—has been a constant presence in his corner. In a touching tribute to the 1995 World Champion, Armstrong will run the #95 on his Puma Rally1, a "hat tip" to a legacy of "flat-out" bravery that continues to inspire his journey.

The Machine and the Man: A Decade of Evolution

Armstrong has tamed a diverse stable of machinery to reach the pinnacle:

• Ford Fiesta R2/Rally4: Where he learned the art of momentum in the British woods.
• Ford Fiesta Rally3: The tool used to dominate and win the 2023 ERC3 Championship.
• Ford Fiesta Rally2: His "giant-killer" for the 2024–2025 ERC seasons.
• Ford Puma Rally1 (2026): The 500hp hybrid beast he now wields as a full-time factory professional.

The Tally of a Tenacious Talent

Accomplishments:

• 2026: Secured full-season factory WRC Rally1 seat with M-Sport Ford.
• 2025: ERC Runner-up with overall victories at Rali Ceredigion and Rally Croatia.
• 2023: ERC3 Champion, proving his dominance in 4WD machinery.
• 2021 & 2022: Two-time Junior WRC Runner-up.
• 2018: WRC eSports World Champion, bridging the gap from sim to reality.

Struggles:

• Funding Crises: Nearly forced into retirement in 2017 due to a total lack of commercial backing.
• Budgetary Warfare: Years spent competing on a fraction of rivals' budgets with minimal testing.
• Junior Heartbreak: Twice missing the Junior WRC title by agonizingly slim margins.

Photos: Motorsport Ireland, Neil McDaid