The International Automobile Federation (FIA) confirmed a host of updates to the WRC on Wednesday, including a new points structure set to take effect in 2025.
The scoring system underwent a dramatic overhaul for the 2024 season, introducing three separate points distributions for each rally: significant conditional points based on Saturday evening results, daily points from Sunday’s results, and Power Stage points awarded to the top five fastest drivers.
The primary issue with the system was that no points were awarded based on the overall rally results. This also created a situation where the rally winner did not necessarily collect the largest points haul for the weekend – a scenario that first occurred during the second round of the season in Sweden.
For the 2025 season, conditional Saturday points will no longer be awarded. Instead, the highest points will be based on the overall rally classification, with the top ten competitors earning points.
The rally winner will receive 25 points, the runner-up 17 points, and the third-place finisher 15 points. Points for subsequent positions will follow the system: 12-10-8-6-4-2-1.
The so-called “Super Sunday” will remain, as competitors will continue to fight for additional daily points on the final day of each rally. While seven drivers could earn Sunday points this season, next year the top five will be rewarded, with the fastest driver earning 5 points and the fifth-fastest earning 1 point.
There will be no changes to the Power Stage. Additional points will again be awarded to the top five fastest drivers on the final stage (5-4-3-2-1).
This means the maximum points haul for a weekend will increase to 35, compared to the previous 30 points. While the new system still allows for a rally runner-up to potentially earn more points than the winner, this scenario will be less likely under the revised format.
WRC points system for the 2025 season:
- Overall rally results: 25-17-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1
- Sunday’s daily results: 5-4-3-2-1
- Power Stage results: 5-4-3-2-1
The new scoring system places a greater emphasis on the overall rally results, shifting focus away from the Sunday points, which often played a decisive role in the 2024 season as drivers competed for a maximum of 12 points.
However, “Super Sunday” has proven to be a thrilling addition to the rally weekend. Drivers no longer focused solely on conserving tyres for the Power Stage, as intense battles for daily points created added excitement. This element has rightfully been retained in the new system.
The 2025 WRC season will kick off with the Monte Carlo Rally in late January.
