WRC Rally Saudi Arabia

The WRC Rally Saudi Arabia returns to Jeddah for the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship. This race will be based at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and features stages across the diverse desert landscape of the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia joined the WRC calendar with a ten-year hosting commitment, bringing world championship rallying to the Middle East. The rally challenges crews with a mix of fast desert tracks, rocky mountain sections, and technical terrain.

Circuit and Stage Details

The rally stages in Saudi Arabia combine high-speed desert sections with technical rocky passages. Competitors face smooth, fast roads that transition into rougher, more abrasive surfaces. The course uses Saudi Arabia's varied landscape, including mountainous areas, volcanic terrain, and classic desert environments.

Stage Characteristics

The Jameel Motorsport Super Special stage runs on asphalt near the Service Park. This twin-car format features short straights, tight corners, and sweeping bends. The Al-Fasallyah stage starts on narrow, fast desert roads with long flat-out sections before moving into faster desert ground with small crests and gentle dune rises.

The Moon Stage combines technical, twisty sections with rougher, rocky ground on ploughed tracks. Khulays includes significant elevation changes with downhill sections, steep uphill climbs, and tight technical areas with hairpins. Um Al Jerem stands as one of the longer stages, running predominantly on sandy desert tracks with fast sections and a notably long straight before transitioning to narrower climbing sections.

Wadi Almatwi offers a more enclosed and winding character. The Thabhan and Asfan stages include flat desert sections with straights and junctions alongside narrow mountain roads with steep ascents and exposed drops. These stages present challenges from constantly changing light, shifting sands, and varied terrain that make visibility and surface grip unpredictable. High speeds combined with abrasive sections increase the risk of tyre damage and suspension wear.

Technical Regulations for 2026

Rally1 cars undergo significant technical changes for the 2026 season. The hybrid units have been removed from Rally1 cars. Engines are now capped at 330bhp, controlled by a restrictor and predefined torque curve. The 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged engine continues, but the intake air restrictor diameter has been reduced from 36mm to 35mm.

The FIA has standardized chassis manufacturing by working with a single supplier to develop tooling for Rally1 chassis. Teams will fabricate chassis to a predefined template. A cost cap of €430,000 applies to the new 2026 Rally1 cars. These cars adopt transmissions from Rally2 cars but feature advanced aerodynamics. Teams receive two additional homologation jokers for chassis development in 2026.

Rally1 cars run on 100% sustainable fossil-free fuel. Tyre sizes vary based on surface, with 15-inch tyres for gravel and snow, and 18-inch for tarmac. All Rally1 cars use tyres supplied by Hankook. Strategic tyre choice and management prove crucial during the event.

Competition Format

Teams and crews compete for the World Championships for Drivers, Co-drivers, and Manufacturers. Only manufacturers fielding Rally1 cars are eligible to score points in the Manufacturers' Championship. Crews may compete in cars adhering to Groups Rally1 to Rally5 regulations. Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed its participation in the 2026 WRC season, ensuring continued manufacturer presence.

Saudi Arabia and Motorsport

Saudi Arabia has established itself as a major motorsport destination. The Kingdom already hosts Formula 1, the Dakar Rally, Formula E, and WTCR events. The WRC addition strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a premier location for world-class motorsport. This reflects the Kingdom's strategic investment in developing the sports sector and inspiring youth through global sporting events.

What Makes This Rally Unique

The WRC Rally Saudi Arabia offers a distinctive desert rallying experience. The extreme heat and abrasive terrain create an endurance-style challenge for crews and machinery. The vast desert landscapes provide spectacular viewing opportunities, enhanced by innovative camera angles and extensive use of high-speed drones. These drones can follow cars for up to 8.5 kilometers at high speed, creating dramatic long shots across the Saudi Arabian landscape.

The combination of desert speed and rocky technical sections creates a unique test for drivers, co-drivers, and their teams. Surface conditions change throughout each loop, making pace note accuracy and driver adaptation essential. The rally showcases modern WRC machinery against one of the most visually striking backdrops on the championship calendar.