WRC 2
Luis Monzón knows Rally Islas Canarias like the back of his hand. He's a three-time winner of the rally and has helped lead its rise as an international motorsport fixture.
Now, he’s preparing for perhaps his most meaningful appearance yet - as the FIA World Rally Championship touches down in Gran Canaria for the first time.
The 59-year-old will contest his fourth WRC rally when the island’s biggest motorsport event joins the calendar next week (24 – 27 April), driving a Citroën C3 Rally2 in WRC2 alongside long-time co-driver José Carlos Déniz.
“I can say that I've seen the rally grow practically since its first steps, so seeing it in the World Championship is a real satisfaction,” said Monzón. “Even though I've been competing for almost 40 years, I'm incredibly excited to compete in this edition. It will be historic, and from the very beginning, I had no doubts: I wanted to be there at the start.”
Monzón’s Rally Islas Canarias story dates back to 1987, when he debuted in a Renault 5 GT Turbo. Victories followed in 1994, 2004 and 2007. In total he’s contested 33 editions of the rally and racked up more than 70 stage wins - second only to Carlos Sainz.
But his connection runs deeper than just results. Monzón also played a key role in shaping the rally’s modern era - serving on the organising committee and helping to elevate the event to international status through the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and, later, the FIA European Rally Championship.
Now, as the WRC arrives on the island for the first time, he’s back where he feels most at home: behind the wheel.
“Our debut in 1991, in a very different era than today, is unforgettable,” he reflected. “The result of that week, the fans who turned out for all the Canary Islands teams… is something that is deeply etched in our hard drive.”
“Then I was able to compete in a rally like Sanremo, a classic of the era, and again in Catalunya. The results were mixed, but the experience we gained has served us well.”
Monzón's WRC debut came at Rally Spain – Catalunya in 1991, where he stunned with seventh overall in a Lancia Delta Integrale 16v – still the best-ever WRC finish by a Canary Island driver. He returned for two more starts in 1994 and 1999 but hasn’t contested a WRC round since.
Until now.
“Now, in 2025, I still have the desire to compete to win,” he added. “That's how I'm preparing for this edition. I know the level is very high, but I want to maintain that enthusiasm out of respect for the fans and for ourselves. We did two events before the Rally Islas Canarias and the feeling has been unbeatable. Both José Carlos and I are looking forward to the event.”
For Déniz, who has co-driven Monzón since 1995, the event will also mark his fourth WRC appearance.
WRC2 showdown incoming
Monzón lines up as part of a record-breaking 38-strong WRC2 entry - the biggest in the category’s history.
Factory Citroën duo Yohan and Leo Rossel lead the charge, joined by 2022 champion Emil Lindholm and last year’s ERC runner-up Mathieu Franceschi. Spanish hopes rest with the likes of Alejandro Cachón and 2022 ERC title-winner Efrén Llarena, while Nikolay Gryazin adds even more depth to a stacked field.
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