The 2025 season already has a framework, as some of the current rallies have contracts for next year. Additionally, one new round will definitely join the championship, as the Rally Islas Canarias will be a points-scoring event in the World Rally Championship in 2025 and 2026.
Other changes to the calendar are also forthcoming. Simon Larkin, the event director for the WRC Promoter, told selected media, including RallyJournal.com, that Poland, which returned to the calendar this year, will not be part of next year’s championship.
The Central European tarmac event will also maintain its spot in next year’s calendar. This event, run in Germany, Czech Republic, and Austria, debuted in the championship last autumn.
The rallies in Latvia and Estonia will switch places again. This year, Latvia will host a WRC event for the first time, while Estonia will hold a ERC event. In 2025, Estonia will return to the WRC, and Latvia will switch back to the ERC.
Larkin mentioned that the number of events outside Europe is set to increase.
“We want to have a second event in South America, and we’re getting close to that. We essentially have a choice of three events there. We’ll select two,” Larkin said.
This year, South America will host only one rally, the gravel rally in Chile. Additionally, Paraguay and Argentina are vying for a spot in the calendar. Paraguay has never hosted a WRC rally, while Argentina is one of the series’ classics, although it has not hosted a championship event since 2019.
Furthermore, the promoter hopes to bring a WRC rally to the Middle East. The most likely candidate is Saudi Arabia.
With Croatia, the promoter aims to secure an extension. Parliamentary elections were held in Croatia a few weeks ago, just before the WRC event, where the incumbent conservative prime minister’s party won the most votes. Therefore, negotiations are expected to be straightforward.
“We hope for a quick process there,” Larkin shared.
There are several question marks over the future of the WRC, but there is no shortage of event organisers. According to Larkin, he simply needs to pick the best options.
“I have the easiest job in this company,” Larkin chuckled.
“Demand for events has never been stronger in the history of the World Rally Championship. At any one time, I have eight or nine different opportunities for the next three years on my desk. I’m talking to countries about 2028. The value proposition that the WRC gives is strong; it’s justifiable and defensible,” added the rally boss.
The next round of the 2024 WRC season will be held next week in Portugal.
