The 2019 event was based in Alghero in Sardinia, and was contested over nineteen special stages with a total a competitive distance of 310.52 km (192.95 mi).

[6] The third round of the J-WRC championship was taken by the Rally Team Spain crew of Jan Solans and Mauro Barreiro.

[7] Defending world champions Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia led both the drivers' and co-drivers' championships with a two-point ahead of Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja.

The first leg saw defending world champion Sébastien Ogier, who was the road-cleaner in Sardinia, caught out after hitting a huge rock in the morning loop.

Ogier's Citroën C3 sustained serious suspension damage, forcing him and co-driver Julien Ingrassia to retire from the stage.

Thierry Neuville also hit trouble as his i20 slid nose-first into a ditch, with the Hyundai's radiator being pierced in the ordeal.

[17] Mads Østberg was very likely to lead the category, but he lost almost eleven minutes adrift after hitting a stone in the opening stage, which meant Kalle Rovanperä became the leader.

The major retirements of the leg included Fabio Andolfi, who ripped a front wheel from his Fabia, and Ole Christian Veiby due to multiple issues.

[19] However, his car was on fire on the final day and forced to retire from the rally, which handled the victory back to the former category leader Loubet.

Dennis Rådström dominated the first day, while Sean Johnston retired from the leg due to clipping a bank and plunging off the road.