WRC - Rally Saudi Arabia

Rally Saudi Arabia represents a historic moment for the World Rally Championship as the country hosts the WRC finale for the first time. This event serves as the final round of the 2025 World Rally Championship, WRC2 Championship, and WRC3 Championship. The rally takes place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the service park and Rally HQ located at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and JCC Race Tower building.

The rally features 17 stages covering approximately 320 kilometers of competitive distance. The total route spans over 1,200 kilometers when transport sections are included. Rally Saudi Arabia offers drivers a mixed surface challenge that combines gravel, sand, and asphalt sections. The terrain varies from smooth, flowing gravel roads to abrasive surfaces that test both car and crew.

Competitors face open-desert speed sections alongside rocky, technical passages. The course includes wide, sweeping roads, blind crests, and shifting sand. The Red Sea coastlines provide a backdrop to the desert plains and mountainous regions. Some areas feature minimal vegetation and arid conditions typical of the region. The organizers have constructed and improved many roads and stages, with approximately half the route receiving upgrades to improve safety standards.

Rally Saudi Arabia brings together top-level professional rally drivers and co-drivers from around the globe. The event showcases Rally1 cars, which represent the most advanced machinery in the WRC series. These vehicles incorporate cutting-edge engineering and hybrid technology. Local talent also participates, with Saudi drivers competing in various WRC events to develop their skills on home soil.

The rally demands strong adaptation from teams and drivers. Crews must handle the transition between fast, flowing sections and rougher technical passages. Tyre management plays a vital role as the abrasive surfaces can damage rubber quickly. Precision becomes essential on stages where changing light conditions and shifting sand affect visibility and grip levels. The high-speed nature of certain sections increases risk, while suspension components face stress from the varied terrain.

Teams arrive with limited data as Rally Saudi Arabia marks new territory for the championship. No established form book exists for this event, which creates equal opportunity and challenge for all competitors. Engineers must work with crews to find optimal setups without previous reference points. This element adds intrigue as both Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships could be decided on these unfamiliar stages.

Saudi Arabia secured its place on the WRC calendar through a ten-year contract with WRC Promoter GmbH. The country held a candidate event in 2023 as part of its bid to join the championship. This commitment reflects Saudi Arabia's growing motorsport presence, as the nation already hosts Formula 1, the Dakar Rally, Formula E, GT World Challenge, and WTCR events. The Saudi Motorsport Company demonstrates its investment by building roads and stages specifically for the rally.

Rally Saudi Arabia aligns with Vision 2030, the country's plan to become a major destination for sport and adventure tourism. The event brings the WRC to new audiences across the Middle East region. Sustainability measures have been incorporated throughout the planning and operational phases. The rally showcases Saudi Arabia's diverse landscapes, from volcanic terrain to sweeping desert expanses.

The event schedule includes a shakedown session and super special stages in Jeddah. Competitors then tackle stages named Al Faisaliyah, Moon Stage, Khulais, Alghullah, Um Al Jerem, and Wadi Almatwi. Some sections use a flag system similar to skiing events where traditional road boundaries don't exist. This unique approach reflects the desert environment and adds another layer of challenge for navigators and drivers.

Rally Saudi Arabia brings fresh challenge to the WRC series. The combination of speed, technical difficulty, and unknown factors creates compelling competition. Fans can follow this historic finale as it unfolds across the Saudi Arabian landscape, where championship titles will be decided on stages unlike any other on the calendar.