In a candid admission, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed regret for delays in addressing the challenges facing the World Rally Championship (WRC) and outlined a bold vision for the sport’s future. Speaking during the Dakar Rally’s rest day in Saudi Arabia, Ben Sulayem reflected on his journey to “fix the FIA” and its implications for rallying’s global stage.
Fixing the FIA to Save the WRC
Ben Sulayem, who ascended to the FIA presidency two years ago, acknowledged that his focus on overhauling the FIA may have sidelined immediate action on rallying.
“I’m sorry,” he said, addressing the delay in reforms. “Even before I became president, we talked about this. I was very busy fixing the FIA. If you fix the FIA and don’t fix the WRC, there will not be a WRC. There will not be a championship if the FIA doesn’t exist. Now, I feel I can tell you that the house is back. I fixed the house, and we are fixing the WRC.”
Revolutionizing WRC Regulations
One of the most significant challenges Ben Sulayem tackled was the rising cost of Rally1 cars. Under his leadership, the FIA World Motor Sport Council implemented regulation changes to make these vehicles more affordable. This shift aims to attract more manufacturers and sustain the business side of motorsport.
“I’m telling you,” Ben Sulayem asserted, “soon, the bold decision that we took for the regulation, you will see the fruits. Sustaining motorsport is sustaining business. The regulations have to attract manufacturers, but it’s about affordability.”
He also addressed the controversial decision to move away from full electrification, instead focusing on sustainable fuels.
“Look at the WRC—it was getting very expensive with electrification. I took a bold decision with the World Council to remove electrification and keep sustainable fuel. We will reach our goals with sustainability.”
Growing Optimism for WRC and Rallycross
Despite a limited number of Rally1 entries for 2025—only 10, with half coming from a single manufacturer—Ben Sulayem expressed optimism for the WRC’s future. Improved collaboration between the FIA and WRC Promoter has been a key factor in his renewed confidence.
“You can’t just give the contract and let them go. You can’t leave the promoter in the wilderness. We have to be engaging all the time with them,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Ben Sulayem hinted at transformative changes for World Rallycross (WRX), including the appointment of a new promoter in March 2025.
“We are optimistic now, much more than when we met before in 2022 or 2023. You will see big changes around March in the WRX and the WRC,” he said.
A Bold New Chapter for Rallying
Ben Sulayem’s leadership marks a turning point for the FIA and its commitment to rallying. By addressing structural inefficiencies and introducing cost-effective regulations, he aims to secure a sustainable future for WRC and WRX. His efforts reflect a broader ambition to balance motorsport’s commercial viability with environmental responsibility, ensuring rallying’s place on the global stage for years to come.