Adrien Fourmaux Causes a Shock in Monte Carlo: From Being Ridiculed to Making Legends Take Off Their Hats?

The Rallye Monte-Carlo 2025, the crown jewel of the World Rally Championship (WRC), delivered drama, danger, and a stunning breakout performance from Adrien Fourmaux. The 29-year-old Frenchman, once mocked for a catastrophic 2022 crash at the same event, roared onto the podium in his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 debut, finishing third behind Toyota titans Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans. His bold tire choices and fearless charge through icy, snow-choked stages turned heads, earning praise from rivals and fans alike. Fourmaux’s journey from ridicule—after a viral crash video and social media pile-on—to forcing WRC legends like Ogier and Thierry Neuville to tip their hats is the stuff of rally folklore. What fueled this shocking turnaround? Dive into the truth behind Fourmaux’s Monte Carlo masterclass, the secrets of his redemption, and whether this podium signals a new WRC star ready to chase his first victory.

Monte Carlo’s Brutal Stage: Fourmaux’s Rise from the Ashes

The Rallye Monte-Carlo, held January 23–26, 2025, is notorious for its treacherous mix of icy alpine passes, unpredictable snow, and slick asphalt. This year’s event, the WRC’s season opener, was especially brutal, with heavy snowfall disrupting reconnaissance and turning stages like the Col de Turini into a driver’s nightmare. Adrien Fourmaux, newly signed to Hyundai Motorsport after years with M-Sport Ford, faced sky-high pressure. His 2022 Monte Carlo crash—a violent roll that sent his Ford Puma Rally1 tumbling off a cliff—had made him a target of online ridicule, with X posts and media branding him reckless. “He’s been maligned unjustly,” said 1993 WRC runner-up François Delecour, defending Fourmaux’s resilience.

Fourmaux’s 2024 season, where he finished fifth overall with M-Sport, hinted at his potential, including a podium in Sweden. But joining Hyundai, alongside reigning champion Thierry Neuville and 2019 titleholder Ott Tänak, was a leap into the big leagues. Hyundai’s full-season commitment to Fourmaux—a first for their third seat—signaled trust in his talent. His preparation was meticulous: a January 10 test in the Hautes-Alpes fine-tuned the i20 N Rally1’s suspension and tire setups for Monte Carlo’s chaos. Yet, few expected him to challenge Ogier, a nine-time Monte Carlo winner, or Evans, a perennial contender.

The rally started with a setback. Snow disrupted Fourmaux’s final reconnaissance on January 22, leaving him stuck behind cars on the Turini as heavy flakes fell. But once the stages began, Fourmaux was electric. By Saturday’s SS11 (January 25), he overtook Evans for second overall, trailing Ogier by just 12.3 seconds. His daring run on the icy La Motte-Chalancon stage, where he pushed the i20 N to its limits, had X buzzing, with @DiegoteSimracer posting, “Fourmaux fought for scratches vs. Ogier and Evans… The DOCTOR!” Was this the same driver once laughed off as a crash-prone rookie?

The Shocking Tire Gamble: Fourmaux’s Moment of Genius

Fourmaux’s podium hinged on a heart-stopping decision on Sunday’s final day. With the Col de Turini and Power Stage looming, tire choice was make-or-break. Ogier and Evans opted for a conservative mix—four studded tires and two slicks—to handle the icy Avançon stage. Fourmaux, backed by his co-driver Alexandre Coria and Hyundai’s weather scouts, went all-in: four super-soft slicks and two studded tires, betting on melting snow in the drier Digne-les-Bains stage.

The gamble nearly won him the rally. On SS17 (Digne-les-Bains/Chaudon-Norante), Fourmaux blazed through, beating Ogier by 23.9 seconds and Evans by 17.8, briefly threatening the podium order. “With more melted snow in the Power Stage, we could’ve won,” he told RTBF, reflecting on the audacious call. The move fell short in the final Turini stage, where ice favored Toyota’s setup, but Fourmaux held third, 26 seconds behind Ogier’s record 10th Monte Carlo win and 18.5 seconds behind Evans.

Fourmaux’s tire strategy wasn’t just bold—it was a statement. DirtFish praised his “bravery” and “confidence,” noting he outshone Neuville (sixth, +5:44.2) and Tänak (fifth, +59.0), earning 20 championship points to their combined 20. Hyundai boss Cyril Abiteboul called it a “frustrating but reassuring” debut, with Fourmaux proving he’s no third wheel. Ogier, ever the gentleman, saluted Fourmaux’s pace, dedicating his win to his late uncle but acknowledging the Frenchman’s “superb” drive. From ridicule to respect, Fourmaux had WRC legends tipping their hats.

From Ridicule to Redemption: The Making of Fourmaux’s Comeback

Fourmaux’s Monte Carlo heroics are a redemption arc years in the making. His 2022 crash, captured by Canal+ and a spectator’s viral video, saw his Ford Puma soar off a cliff after missing a braking point, rolling multiple times. The crash, though injury-free, crushed his confidence. “He was unfairly hammered on social media,” said Delecour, noting the backlash was “revolting.” Fourmaux’s 2022 season unraveled, with five retirements in 10 rallies, leading to a demotion to WRC2 in 2023.

Yet, Fourmaux rebuilt. His 2023 WRC2 campaign with M-Sport included a Jänner Rally win and consistent Monte Carlo podiums (second in 2019, 2020, and 2021). By 2024, back in Rally1, he nabbed a Sweden podium and fifth overall, catching Hyundai’s eye. His mental toughness shone through, evident in his sportsmanship—congratulating Neuville on X despite his own sixth-place Monte Carlo finish. Fourmaux told rallye-sport.fr, “I’m a bit disappointed… But this podium is special.” The Nordiste’s grit, paired with Coria’s precise notes and Hyundai’s trust, turned ridicule into reverence.

The X buzz was electric. @ClementVieules posted a podium photo, captioned, “Fourmaux shines behind Ogier and Evans,” while fans hailed his “mega” tire call. DirtFish argued Fourmaux’s performance suggests he’s not just aiming for top three but could challenge for the 2025 title, despite his modest goal of “consistent rallies” over a single win. His debut outpaced Neuville, hampered by a suspension failure and electrical gremlins, and Tänak, who faded on Sunday’s icy stages. Fourmaux’s rise from laughingstock to podium hero is a testament to his growth—and a warning to WRC’s elite.

The Road Ahead: Can Fourmaux Claim His First WRC Win?

Adrien Fourmaux’s Monte Carlo podium isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a game-changer for Hyundai and the WRC. His third place, earning 20 points, positions him third in the Drivers’ Championship, behind Ogier (33) and Evans (26). Hyundai’s all-in strategy—fielding three full-time drivers for the first time—relies on Fourmaux’s consistency to challenge Toyota’s dominance. With Neuville’s title defense off to a rocky start and Tänak struggling on Monte Carlo’s ice, Fourmaux’s emergence as Hyundai’s top finisher sends a message: he’s not here to play backup.

Rally Sweden (February 6–9, 2025) is next, where Fourmaux’s snow skills—honed by his 2024 podium—could shine. Starting second on the road, behind Evans, gives him a cleaner line than Ogier’s absence might disrupt. “I’m still chasing my first victory,” Fourmaux told RTBF, but he’s prioritizing “beautiful races” over reckless gambles. Delecour believes Fourmaux’s Hyundai move, backed by Neuville’s championship experience, makes him a “force tranquille” ready to strike.

Challenges loom. Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä, fourth in Monte Carlo, is a snow specialist, and Tänak’s Swedish pedigree (wins in 2017 and 2019) could overshadow Fourmaux. Hyundai’s intra-team dynamics—balancing three title contenders—may test Abiteboul’s management. Yet, Fourmaux’s Monte Carlo showed he thrives under pressure. His tire gamble, likened to “pre-2000s Monte Carlo poker plays,” proves he’s got the nerve to win. X fans, like @DiegoteSimracer, are already calling him a future champion.

Will Fourmaux’s shocking Monte Carlo podium propel him to a WRC victory in 2025, or was it a one-off flash of brilliance? Follow @AdrienFourmaux on X for updates, and watch Rally Sweden to see if he can keep legends like Ogier and Neuville on their toes. The truth is undeniable: Fourmaux has gone from ridiculed to revered, and the WRC world is taking notice. Are you ready for his next move?