The event was based in the famous Autodromo Nazionale di Monza circuit near Milan, where the Italian Grand Prix was held.

[7] In the World Rally Championship-2 category, Jari Huttunen and Mikko Lukka won the event, while Torstein Eriksen confirmed to win the WRC-2 co-driver title.

[9] Reigning World Champions Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia entered the round with a seventeen-point lead over Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin.

In the World Rally Championship-2 standings, newly-crowned champion Andreas Mikkelsen led Mads Østberg in the drivers' championship, with Marco Bulacia Wilkinson in third.

In the World Rally Championship-3 standings, Yohan Rossel led Kajetan Kajetanowicz by twelve points in the drivers' championship, with Emil Lindholm in third.