WRC Signs Ten-Year Agreement with Saudi Arabia

The World Rally Championship has signed a ten-year agreement with Saudi Arabia, ensuring the inclusion of the country in the championship calendar starting from 2025. The announcement was made at the Rally Italia Sardegna, the sixth round of the 2024 WRC season. This agreement marks the return of the WRC to the Middle East since the Jordan Rally in 2011. Saudi Arabia offers a variety of terrains, from volcanic rocks to sand deserts, which will provide a new and diverse challenge for the teams.

Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Company, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the WRC: "We are delighted to welcome the World Rally Championship in 2025. The arrival of this series confirms our transformation into a significant hub for motorsport in the region. With events like Formula 1, Formula E, Extreme E, and the Dakar Rally, we will continue to strengthen our motorsport portfolio and contribute to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives."

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem highlighted the impact of this agreement: "This is a significant moment for motorsport in the Middle East. It has been more than ten years since the WRC visited the region, and the drivers will face unique challenges in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This is a great opportunity for local and regional drivers to showcase their talent on the world stage."

Jona Siebel, managing director of WRC Promoter, commented on the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the championship calendar: "We are excited to return to the Middle East, especially to a country with a rich rally tradition. Each day will present distinct challenges for the drivers and highlight everything Saudi Arabia has to offer, from urban landscapes to deserts, and from mountains to the ocean. We are confident that this rally will add a unique identity to the championship."