The French state broadcaster France Télévisions announced this week that a four-part mini-series will focus on the 1982 World Rally Championship season, during which Michèle Mouton finished runner-up behind Germany’s Walter Röhrl.
During that season, Mouton claimed victories in Portugal, Greece, and Brazil, but also suffered four unfortunate retirements. For example, at the Ivory Coast Rally, Mouton – driving an Audi Quattro – was in a clear lead before a technical failure ruined her rally.
In the end, Röhrl secured the second world title of his career with a 12-point margin. In the 1982 season, only the seven best results counted towards the final standings. Mouton competed in 11 events that year, while Röhrl entered 10. Although Mouton achieved more victories, the much-criticised points system of the time meant that the German driver was nevertheless crowned champion.
“With Rallye 82, we want to tell more than just a motorsport story. It is the story of a struggle to exist – that of a woman who defied conventions to make her mark in a world where she was not expected to succeed. This project celebrates courage, but also emancipation and perseverance – deeply universal themes,” says Guillaume Le Gros from HBO Max.
The series will first air on HBO Max, before later being broadcast on France Télévisions. Filming has already begun and is expected to continue until 19 December. The production is taking place in Senegal and in France’s Alpes-Maritimes region.
