The 24ο Monte Carlo Historic Rally was completed on 2 February and Stellantis Group CEO Carlos Tavares was one of the drivers who managed to complete this marathon that included almost 300km of special stages. In this special event, Mr Tavares was behind the wheel of the legendary 1975 Lancia Stratos HF, the car in which the great Sandro Munari competed in the World Rally Championship.
Mr. Tavares' passion for racing is well known and has its roots in the 1980s, when the Stellantis CEO began participating in various forms of motorsport, having completed more than 500 races to date. For this year's historic Monte Carlo challenge, he chose a landmark car for Lancia and for racing in general.
Lancia remains to this day the most successful brand in rally racing, having won 15 world titles, drivers' and constructors', among others. A top performance that has contributed to the brand's reputation and popularity on a global level.
The Lancia Stratos is one of the best examples of the brand's passion for racing. Designed specifically for rallying, only 500 units were built, with the racing Stratos HF beating the competition hands down to win the World Title in 1974, 1975 and 1976, and two European titles before retiring from racing, being virtually unbeatable. The Stratos became hugely popular not only through its successes, but also through its futuristic design. It is remembered in history for its Alitalia colours, just like the car driven by Mr Tavares.
The warm reception that the public once again gave to the Lancia Stratos confirmed the timeless sensation that the model still evokes today. As Mr Tavares said: "It is not just a milestone, but a real monument, which remains alive in the hearts of all fans of the games. The crowd applauded us and asked us to step on the gas just to hear the sublime sound of the engine. Driving a car like that in the snow is definitely a way to make people happy."
