The World Rally Championship (WRC) Commission has introduced a proposal to mandate rest periods for competitors and personnel during rallies, aiming to guarantee sufficient recovery time between competition days. The move follows concerns raised over the demanding schedules seen during this year’s Rally Portugal, where drivers experienced extended hours with limited breaks.
Rally Portugal’s Grueling Schedule Sparks Safety Concerns
Rally Portugal’s itinerary became a focal point for debate within the WRC community, as many drivers highlighted the safety risks tied to long and consecutive stages. Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera warned that the tight schedule could jeopardize crews’ safety, while Sebastien Ogier, the overall winner, described the rally as one of the toughest physically in his career, emphasizing the need for future changes.
On Friday, the day’s route started at 7:35 a.m. and concluded around 9 p.m. back at the Porto service park. Drivers and co-drivers spent approximately 14 hours in their vehicles, covering 683 kilometers in total with 146 kilometers of competitive stages. The only interruptions were two brief 20-minute remote service stops and two short regroupings, severely limiting opportunities for rest and meals.
Saturday’s leg was equally demanding, starting at 6 a.m. and extending to a 13-hour competitive period. Sunday featured six competitive stages instead of four from the previous year, beginning early at 6:43 a.m., further adding to the physical strain on crews.
Consultations Lead to Proposed Regulatory Changes
In response to these concerns, the WRC Commission, in collaboration with the FIA, WRC Promoter, and competitors, has developed a formal proposal aimed at better regulating working hours and rally itineraries. This proposal is set for an electronic vote in the near future, with potential implementation from the 2026 season pending approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
The proposal seeks to standardize rally schedules to ensure participants have adequate periods to recover throughout the event, reducing fatigue and enhancing safety for drivers, co-drivers, officials, and volunteers alike.
Additional Adjustments to Rally Operations Under Consideration
Alongside rest mandates, the WRC Commission has agreed to limit remote service stops to a single occurrence per rally. This change intends to ease financial pressures on teams and reduce the overall workload during events.
The Commission also submitted a proposal to extend the submission deadline for rally itineraries from five and a half to six months prior to events. Organizers will be required to provide more detailed information, including maps, planned promotional activities, and designated zones for remote service and tire fitting. These measures aim to improve transparency and operational planning.
Implications for Future WRC Events and Competitors
These proposed changes represent a concerted effort by the WRC Commission and associated bodies to enhance safety standards and working conditions across the championship. By addressing schedule intensity and logistical challenges, the regulations hope to protect crews such as those from M-Sport Ford World Rally Team and manufacturers like Hyundai and Toyota, while also safeguarding the well-being of all personnel involved in rallies worldwide.
If ratified, the rest mandates and itinerary adjustments will mark a significant shift in how rallies are organized, potentially influencing the pace and endurance demands of future competitions, such as the anticipated move of the Rally Italy event from Sardinia to Rome starting in 2027.
“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.”
