The fate of the 2024 World Rally Championship finale remains up in the air. Although the official calendar still lists Saudi Arabia as the host, speculation about its cancellation is growing, and the final decision, initially expected on Monday, has been delayed once again.
Tensions in the Middle East are at the heart of the issue. Travel restrictions imposed by Toyota and Hyundai to the region are a strong signal that Rally Saudi is at high risk of being called off. Both manufacturers have internal policies prohibiting staff from traveling to the Middle East amid the current security situation.
A Decision Rippling Through the Paddock
This delay is not just a formality. The organizers of Rally Sardinia, the penultimate round of the season, have had to extend the entry deadline until Thursday evening. This is the third postponement, and the reason is simple: teams do not yet know if WRC points will still be up for grabs after Sardinia.
For title contenders and factory teams, this uncertainty is disruptive. But the impact is most acute in WRC2, where drivers must select a certain number of scoring rounds. Without clarity on the number of valid events, their strategies are in disarray.
If Saudi is indeed dropped, the big question becomes: who steps in? Rally Catalunya has emerged as a strong candidate. The asphalt stages around Salou have traditionally defined the Spanish round, but it could also be run on gravel, mirroring the character originally planned for Saudi Arabia.
This situation is a test for the WRC promoters to act swiftly. Prolonged uncertainty only harms the championship's credibility. Fans are hoping for a quick resolution, ideally before this weekend's round in Chile, so the season's direction becomes clearer.
Baca Juga
Kris Meeke menilai Teemu Suninen layak kembali ke WRC setelah performa impresifnya di ERC 2026, termasuk duel sengit di Rali Ceredigion yang berakhir dengan gelar juara Eropa untuk Suninen.
Esapekka Lappi kembali ke Hyundai Rally1 di Reli Chili dengan target sederhana: menikmati balapan dan mendukung tim, setelah musim yang sulit.
Dani Sordo jadi development driver mobil WRC baru RMC Motorsport yang siap uji coba. Tim Spanyol ini juga akan menjual mobil ke tim privat lain.
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