Today we got the news that what was meant to be the season ending fourteenth round of the World Rally Championship has been removed by the FIA for this year’s championship. This will mean that the final round of the championship will take place in Italia Sardegna over the weekend of the 1^st to 4^th of October.

 

I don’t think that I need to go into the reasons for this decision given how things have developed in the region.

 

What does this mean for Elfyn and Scott’s championship hopes then? Well, given that following the end of Rally Chile held over the last weekend they hold a seventeen-point lead over Sami and Marko, whilst Oliver and Elliott are twenty-one points behind.

Those crews are the only who could take the world championship should either of them somehow outscore their teammate it will be remarkable. However, I do believe that we are finally set to see Elfyn and Scott take their first world championship next month.

Let’s hear from the FIA President, and the boss of the WRC Promoter.

 

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA

“We have worked closely with our partners in Saudi Arabia, our Member Club the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, WRC Promoter and our championship stakeholders in recent months to explore every possible route that would allow Rally Saudi Arabia to take place as planned. However, ongoing regional developments mean that the WRC element of Rally Saudi Arabia will not proceed this year. These are never easy decisions, particularly after the significant work undertaken by everyone involved in preparing for the event.

 

“While the WRC element of the event will not take place this year, our confidence in the organisers and in the long-term future of the rally remains unchanged. The FIA Middle East Rally Championship event will continue as planned in November, and we will continue to work closely with SAMF, SMC and the organising team to support the successful delivery of the event in November.

 

“Our focus now is firmly on the future. We will continue working together with our partners in Saudi Arabia and WRC Promoter towards bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back in 2027.

 

“My thanks to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, Saudi Motorsport Company and the entire organising team for their considerable efforts and continued cooperation throughout this process.”

 

 

Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter

“This has been a difficult decision, particularly given the significant work and commitment from our partners in Saudi Arabia to prepare for this year’s event. However, the ongoing regional developments and the resulting logistical challenges mean that we need to provide certainty and clarity for the remainder of the 2026 season.

 

“We greatly value our partnership with SAMF, SMC and the Ministry of Sport, and this decision is in no way a reflection of their ability or readiness to deliver a world-class WRC event. Our focus now is on working closely together towards the successful return of Rally Saudi Arabia to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2027.”