FIA officials will decide by mid‑September whether the World Rally Championship’s season‑ending event in Saudi Arabia can go ahead.
FIA Eyes WRC Saudi Arabia Finale
The WRC is slated to finish its 2026 campaign on 11‑14 November in Jeddah, but security concerns are prompting a pause in decision‑making.
Emilia Abel, FIA road‑sports director, said the federation is closely partnering with the event promoter and all manufacturer teams to “find the best way forward.” She noted that “the situation can shift quickly” and that contingencies for a replacement rally are not yet ready.
Middle East Tensions Threaten Schedule
Stability in the region has deteriorated after a ceasefire collapse between Iran and the United States/Israel, reigniting hostilities that affect the broader Middle Eastern motorsport calendar.
Commercial shipping continues to steer around the Strait of Hormuz out of concerns over missile attacks, underscoring the logistical risk to the WRC finale’s execution.
Other Motorsport Events Adjust
Changes are rippling through other series. The World Endurance Championship has shifted its Qatar 1812 km round to Barcelona on 18 October and its Bahrain finale to Monza on 7 November.
Formula One’s Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for 2‑4 October, postponed from its original April slot, while decisions on Qatar (27‑29 November) and Abu Dhabi (4‑6 December) remain pending.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Abel added that “for the moment, we are still working hard to keep Rally Saudi Arabia on the calendar, as changing the event would disrupt teams’ WRC2 programmes and the long lead time needed to prepare a championship‑level rally.”
FIA monitors how these disruptions might ripple across the motorsport ecosystem, balancing safety, logistical realities and the championship’s integrity.
What Comes Next
FIA aims to reach a decision by a scheduled mid‑September window, after which WRC organisers will re‑examine logistics, safety arrangements and team commitments before finalising the race calendar.
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