WRC - All the latest News
Sandro Munari: 1940 - 2026
The WRC family is saddened to learn of the passing of Sandro Munari, one of rallying’s defining figures of the 1970s. He was 85.
Nicknamed “Il Drago” (The Dragon), Munari became synonymous with Lancia’s rise to prominence and played a central role in establishing the manufacturer as an early force in the World Rally Championship. His name remains inseparable from the Lancia Stratos HF, the car he helped develop and drove to many of its most famous victories.
Munari claimed four overall wins at Rallye Monte-Carlo, including three consecutive triumphs from 1975 to 1977 - a record that underlined his mastery of one of the sport’s most prestigious events. In 1977 he secured the FIA Cup for Rally Drivers, the forerunner to today’s FIA World Rally Championship drivers’ title.
His success stretched beyond Monte-Carlo. Munari had already made his mark prior to the WRC’s inception, winning the 1967 Tour de Corse and the 1972 Monte-Carlo Rally in a Lancia Fulvia. That same year he demonstrated his versatility by claiming victory at the Targa Florio.
© McKlein
Once the WRC began in 1973, Munari’s command of the rear-wheel-drive Stratos delivered further wins at events including Rallye Sanremo, Rallye de Portugal and Tour de Corse, contributing significantly to Lancia’s early world championship success.
In Italy, Munari became rallying’s first mainstream star, elevating the sport’s profile during a golden era of manufacturer competition. His partnership with Lancia remains one of the most celebrated in WRC history.
Following his retirement from top-level competition, Munari remained closely connected to the sport, regularly appearing at historic rallies and anniversary celebrations - particularly those honouring the Stratos.
His impact on the sport, and on Italian rallying, endures.
