A proposal to ensure World Rally Championship competitors and personnel receive the necessary time to recover between days on rallies has been tabled by the WRC Commission.
Rally itineraries has been a hot topic within the WRC for some time with the matter brought into sharp focus at this year’s Rally Portugal.
The event’s itinerary drew criticism from drivers. Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera stated the schedule posed a safety risk for crews, while rally winner Sebastien Ogier admitted it was among the most physically demanding contests of his career and felt changes to the future schedules would be required.
Friday’s leg in Portugal began at 7:35am before eventually returning back to the Porto service park at 9pm. Across the day drivers and co-drivers spent 14 hours in their cars covering a total distance of 683 kilometres, of which 146km were competitive stages. The day was only punctuated by two 20-minute remote services and two short regroups restricting drivers on time to eat and rest.
The action resumed on Saturday with the first car checking out of the service park at 6am, ahead of another 13-hour day. Sunday featured six stages, instead of the four witnessed last year, with crews starting the first test at 6:43am.
Addressing working hours during events had been a key objective for the WRC Commission before Rally Portugal. After consultation between the FIA, the WRC Promoter and the competition, a formal proposal to improve working conditions is set for an e-vote in the coming weeks. If approved by the World Motor Sport Council, changes could be effective from 2026.
Grégoire Munster, Louis Louka, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Photo by: M-Sport
“A proposal was tabled following consultation between the FIA, WRC Promoter and the competitors, who have a common goal to ensure that itineraries allow the necessary time for those working on-event to recover between the competition sections of the rally,” read notes from Tuesday’s WRC Commission meeting.
“The aim is to improve consistency across all rallies and ultimately create safer working conditions for the crews, officials and volunteers who make the events possible.”
The WRC Commission has also agreed for the use of remote services to be decreased to one per rally to reduce costs and the workload on teams.
A proposal has also been submitted to extend the deadline for rally organisers to submit their itineraries from five and a half to six months and for more specific information to be issued, including event maps, details of the planned promotional activities and any proposals for remote service and tyre fitting zones.
These proposals will also be sent to the FIA for approval at the next WMSC meeting.
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