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Renault is ready for the 90th Rallye Monte-Carlo

Renault will be out in force at the 90th Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo with a total of thirteen Clios to kick off season 50 of the FIA World Rally Championship. In addition to two Clio Rally5s as part of the organisation's safety team, five Clio Rally4s and six Clio Rally5s will battle for victory in their respective categories.

19 January 2022

From Renault's first participation in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1924 to the successes achieved over the decades, the brand's vehicles have excelled in all the events staged in the Principality of Monaco.

This week, Renault returns to one of the motor racing's monuments to kick off the 50th FIA World Rally Championship season, with a route renewed at 95% and an event promising to be one of the most challenging with no midday service. Thirteen Clios, including eleven competing, will take part to the rally.

Castrol and Michelin in the spotlight

Among the competitors, which will represent Renault in the two-wheel-drive categories, there will be five Clio Rally4s in the RC4 class.

2020 Clio Trophy France winner and victorious on his second appearance on the European scene with Clio Rally4, Anthony Fotia will debut on the world stage with co-driver Arnaud Dunand. Second in the Clio Trophy France Asphalte in 2021, Styve Juif and Maxime Biegalke will also make their first appearances in the sport’s highest level.

The two crews will take this new step in their respective careers thanks to the support of Castrol and Michelin, loyal partners of the Viry-Châtillon customer racing department. Each car will carry a special livery, dedicated to Michelin for Anthony Fotia and to Castrol for Styve Juif.

France's Pierre Tanci & Sébastien Malet, Switzerland's Sacha Althaus & Lisiane Zbinden and Belgium's Timothy van Parijs & Kurt Heyndrickx, who won the RC5 class on this rally with Clio Rally5 twelve months ago, will also lineup at the start with Clio Rally4.

Six Clio Rally5s to continue the streak

Clio Rally5 will rely on six crews to extend its incredible unbeaten run in the WRC's RC5 class since its competition debut on Rally Guanajuato México 2020.

Starring last year in the Clio Trophy by Toksport WRT in the FIA European Rally Championship, Ghjuvanni Rossi and his co-driver Maxime Martini will be one of the duos to watch. Frenchmen Lilian Vialle & Manuel Ghirardello, Gilles Michellier & Christophe Richard, Jauffrey Magnan-Bayle & Kévin Marchetti and Éric Royère & Gilbert Dini will also be in action while the Spanish pairing of Esteban Vallín & Borja Odriozola completes the Renault contingent.

In addition, two Clio Rally5s will be part of the Automobile Club de Monaco's team of opening and safety vehicles. Florian Bernardi, who has already participated in the rally with Clio Rally5 and Clio Rally4 for their first public outings, will be back behind the wheel of Clio Rally5 in the zero car. Supported by Victor Bellotto, the winner of the 2018 Clio R3T Trophy France, will be the last to enter the stages before the competitors entered in the premier class of the FIA World Rally Championship.

"We are delighted to be back at the Rallye Monte-Carlo with a strong contingent of Clio Rally4 and Clio Rally5 crews. Both models have quickly become the benchmarks in their categories on all surfaces after making their first public appearances on this legendary event which offers a magnificent opportunity to demonstrate the skills of man and machine. This 90th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally promises to live up to its reputation with its greatly renewed route and long stages without assistance before returning to the Principality. The event will also be an opportunity to celebrate our partnerships with Castrol and Michelin, which will be represented this week by two of our top trophy winners. We are  looking forward to being there to excel together!"

Benoît Nogier, Alpine Racing Commercial Racing Director

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Renault is ready for the 90th Rallye Monte-Carlo

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Renault Press Office

Renault Press Office

Guillaume Renard

Guillaume Renard

Press Officer Renault Customer Racing

Renault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond.

Document

Renault is ready for the 90th Rallye Monte-Carlo
Renault is ready for the 90th Rallye Monte-Carlo

Renault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond.