The World Rally Championship’s future has been a subject of much discussion and concern in recent years. For the 2024 season, the championship’s main class will see points distributed in a completely new formula. The biggest points will now be awarded based on the standings on Saturday evening, with additional, separate points available on Sunday for the day’s seven fastest, plus extra points from the Power Stage.
The newly introduced system in December has faced criticism, particularly because the rally’s actual winner may not necessarily receive the largest point haul for the weekend.
On the other hand, this change is expected to eliminate the “Sunday cruise,” which has been a visible issue in WRC events. Previously, saving tires was quite common on Sundays before the Power Stage, when the overall competition’s gaps had become clear.
According to Neuville, the change prevents “boring” Sundays but may favor part-time drivers – such as world champion Kalle Rovanperä, Sebastien Ogier, and Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi. For example, Rovanperä won’t have to do the “sweeping” work, i.e., driving as the lead car on gravel races’ opening days. This task falls to the crew leading the championship.
“It is going to add more excitement and a bit of strategy as well,” Neuville told Motorsport.com.
“Basically, you start first on Friday, and on Saturday if you have a bit better road position you will have to try and get back some time on one day only to secure more points, so it is going to be challenging” Belgian added.
The driver leading the rally on Saturday evening must carefully consider their tactics, as they need to finish on Sunday to secure Saturday’s points. If one drives hard on Sunday as well, more points are added to the tally.
“On Saturday you cannot just say I’m first with a 20-second gap and manage my Sunday it is no longer possible. The problem of the Sunday morning will be solved.”
“At the end, the winner will be the one who is on the podium. I’m just not sure if you can be that happy about a win if you take home less points.”
The new points system will be tested for the first time in the Rally Monte Carlo, happening in just over two weeks.
How the new system works:
For the first time, points will be awarded on Saturday evening, with the top ten in the overall standings securing points. The winner receives 18 points, second place 15 points, third 13 points, and from fourth place downwards, points are awarded in a 10-8-6-4-3-2-1 system.
To claim Saturday evening’s points, cars must also finish Sunday’s special stages.
Additionally, separate points are awarded from Sunday’s special stages for the seven fastest drivers. The day’s fastest driver earns seven points, and the seventh-fastest earns one point.
If a driver retires on Sunday, they lose all of Saturday’s points, resulting in a zero-point rally. Drivers behind the retired competitor move up a position in Saturday’s points table.
Extra points are still available from the Power Stage, using the system familiar from previous years. Thus, the maximum number of points available over the weekend remains at 30, but the calculation now involves more variables.
