WRC News: Saudi Arabia to Host Final Round of 2025 Championship
October 2023, Autosport
The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) is set to make its long-awaited return to the Middle East, following a 10-year deal with Saudi Arabia to host the final round of the 2025 championship. The announcement was made at this weekend’s Rally Sardinia, attended by HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Company.
Rally Saudi Arabia in 2025
- Rally Saudi Arabia will take place in November 2025, featuring a mix of mountain and desert roads around Jeddah.
- A test event is likely to be held early next year as part of the Middle East Rally Championship.
- The event is expected to hold its position as the final round of the championship for at least the next five years.
“The arrival of another racing series of global stature in Saudi Arabia confirms the extent of our transformation into a major hub for motorsport in the region.” – HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal
HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal expressed his excitement about hosting the WRC for the first time in 2025, stating that this achievement aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, aiming to improve the lives of all Saudis.
WRC’s Expansion and Motorsport Portfolio in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia’s growing motorsport portfolio includes hosting Formula 1, Formula E, Extreme E, the Dakar Rally, and now WRC and Rally Saudi Arabia.
- FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomed the move, saying it is a “great moment for motorsport in the Middle East.”
- The WRC’s decision to host a round in Saudi Arabia is part of its plan to complete a set of events covering all regions and terrains, as well as the nation’s burgeoning automotive market.
“We haven’t been to the Middle East since 2011, so for us, it is a completion of the story of our calendar. I think the pictures and the story we can tell there is really exciting.” – Simon Larkin, WRC Event Director
Simon Larkin, the WRC’s event director, believes that Saudi Arabia’s unique roads will add a new dimension to the championship’s storytelling and help reconnect with a region that has a rich history in rallying.
Addressing Human Rights Concerns
When asked about human rights concerns related to Saudi Arabia, Larkin mentioned that the nation has made progress, citing the women’s only rally held in Saudi Arabia as an example. He believes that the WRC’s presence can help drive positive change in the region.
The WRC calendar 2023 is expected to feature 14 events, with the WRC calendar 2024 and beyond set to benefit from the addition of Rally Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned for more wrc news and updates on the WRC 2023 season.
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