Yesterday, on Saturday, WRC Promoter made an official announcement about an innovative ten-year agreement with Saudi Arabia. This agreement secures the Middle Eastern nation’s place on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar starting in 2025. The announcement took place during the Rally Italia Sardegna, the sixth stage of the 2024 WRC season. This exciting agreement marks the return of the WRC to the Middle East after a decade-long absence since the 2011 Jordan Rally. This agreement not only represents a strategic move but also demonstrates the WRC’s dedication to providing fans around the world with a new and thrilling experience.
The Saudi Arabia Rally promises to showcase the country’s diverse and challenging landscapes. The rally will take place on different surfaces, ranging from volcanic rocks to sandy desert terrain. This will present a unique and unprecedented test for participating teams as they face conditions never before encountered in WRC history. Saudi Arabia may be new to the WRC, but it has a proven track record as the host of numerous international sporting events, including the Dakar Rally, Formula 1, football, and golf.
SAR, Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Automobile Company, expressed his satisfaction in welcoming the WRC to Saudi Arabia. He stated: “We are thrilled to host the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time in 2025. The arrival of another prestigious racing series in Saudi Arabia confirms our transformation into a major motorsport hub in the region.”
