Welcome to 2024, rally fans!

And from the outset, there’s exciting change coming to the series this season. This month’s Rally Monte-Carlo spends much of its time in the Hautes-Alpes as local hero and rallying legend Sébastien Ogier chases an unprecedented 10th win in the season-opening mountain duel.

There are more returning roads in Mikołajki as ORLEN 80th Rally Poland is back on the calendar for the first time since 2017 – and the WRC’s summer of speed is further enhanced by the introduction of Tet Rally Latvia.

Calendar-wise, the other big change is Safari Rally Kenya jumping forward on the schedule, running as round three at the end of March. Ask any of the millions of rally fans around the world and they’ll tell you Kenya has come home to its traditional date. Now let the rainy season do its work, augmenting what’s already a fascinating chapter in the seasonal story.

The stages are set, but what about the superstars? We have plenty, as usual.

One of the most intriguing aspects of 2024 will be Hyundai Motorsport’s reinforced squad, with 2019 world champion Ott Tänak lining up alongside Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi, Andreas Mikkelsen and Dani Sordo.

The Korean manufacturer has its sights set on relieving rival team Toyota of some silverware come round 13 in 11 months.

Welshman Elfyn Evans leads the charge of the GR Yaris Rally1s, with Takamoto Katsuta, Ogier and, of course, reigning world champion Kalle Rovanperä in his corner.

For M-Sport Ford World, there’s the hugely exciting partnership of Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster. Watching that partnership grow and deliver on its potential aboard a pair of Puma Rally1 Hybrids will be a highlight of the season.