The point system undergoes significant changes this season. For a long time, the winner of a rally has been awarded 25 points, with points awarded to the ten fastest drivers in a 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 system.
Additionally, the Power Stage, the rally’s final special stage, has offered extra points to the five fastest drivers, making the maximum points from one rally 30.
This season, points will be distributed using a slightly more complex formula. Points will now be awarded on Saturday evening to the top ten drivers of the standings as follows:
- First place receives 18 points
- Second place receives 15 points
- Third place receives 13 points
- Fourth place receives 10 points
- Fifth place receives 8 points
- Sixth place receives 6 points
- Seventh place receives 4 points
- Eighth place receives 3 points
- Ninth place receives 2 points
- Tenth place receives 1 point
But that’s not all. On Sunday, there are more points up for grabs. Based on the results of the “Super Sunday” special stages, points will be awarded to the seven best drivers as follows:
- First place receives 7 points
- Second place receives 6 points
- Third place receives 5 points
- Fourth place receives 4 points
- Fifth place receives 3 points
- Sixth place receives 2 points
- Seventh place receives 1 point
The rules for the Power Stage remain unchanged, with the five fastest drivers of the final stage still receiving extra points. Thus, the maximum points from one competition remain at 30.
But there’s more. To claim the points from Saturday, crews must complete Sunday’s special stages and reach the finish line to keep the points awarded based on Saturday’s results. If a crew that scored points on Saturday retires on Sunday, the competitors behind them move up a position in Saturday’s standings.
The rationale behind this significant reform is that in recent years, the Sunday stages of WRC rallies often turned into a cruise, with drivers saving their tires for the Power Stage. With the new system, the importance of Sunday increases further, with a total of 12 points up for grabs on the final day, including the Power Stage.
Another significant change to the rules is that from now on, a Rally1 car can compete without a hybrid unit, but it must be equipped with additional weight equivalent to that of the hybrid unit. Such a car cannot compete for manufacturers’ championship points.
