JEDDAH: The FIA World Rally Championship made its long-awaited Saudi debut on Wednesday, launching the season’s finale with a vibrant opening ceremony and a crowd-pleasing super special stage on the Jeddah Corniche.
Under the lights at the Red Sea coast, the championship’s 14th and concluding round began in spectacular fashion as fans from around the world witnessed the Kingdom host its first WRC event — a milestone that has pushed Saudi Arabia further into the global motorsport spotlight.
The rally will unfold across nearly 320 km of competitive action over 17 stages, blending high-speed desert tracks, dramatic mountain climbs, and sweeping coastal routes.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, the chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Company, welcomed the teams and spectators at the opening ceremony. He said: “This event marks a historic milestone as Saudi Arabia proudly hosts its first-ever round of the WRC, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing prominence in the world of international motorsport.
“As the closing chapter of the WRC season, Rally Saudi Arabia promises a unique and unforgettable experience for competitors and fans alike, set against the backdrop of the Kingdom’s diverse and breathtaking terrains.”
All competing crews were introduced to Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, and other dignitaries. A parade along the corniche led the field toward the opening competitive test, waved off beneath the Saudi flag.
The championship fight began in earnest as title leader Elfyn Evans arrived in Jeddah with a three-point advantage over eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, with 35 points still available. Kalle Rovanpera, third in the standings, remains in mathematical contention.
“It’s all to play for this weekend,” Evans said. “Obviously there is a tough weekend ahead of us and it is very open for the championship. I’m feeling OK at the moment, but I’m sure we’ll be feeling it when the stages start to get tough.”
Earlier in the day, crews sampled the terrain during the 4.29 km shakedown northeast of the city, where Rovanpera topped the times in hot and testing desert conditions.
The competitive spotlight then shifted to the Jameel Motorsport Super Special Stage, where thousands packed the grandstands beside the Formula One Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The 5.22 km tarmac test, featuring two laps, a bridge, and a crossover, provided wheel-to-wheel action to open the rally.
Qatari star Nasser Al-Attiyah, returning to WRC competition, was among the first on stage but suffered a 10-second penalty for a jump start.
Evans and Frenchman Ogier went head-to-head in the final duel of the night, with the latter 0.8 seconds faster than his Toyota teammate. But Estonia’s Ott Tanak stole the show with the fastest time overall, giving Hyundai an early 1.2-second lead heading into Thursday.
Saudi Arabia has become the 39th nation to host a WRC round and the action resumes when the field heads into the vast desert outside Jeddah. The Al-Faisaliyah Stage, featuring sweeping sand dunes and volcanic rock, opens the day, followed by the rugged Moon Stage and the scenic, technical Khulais test — all set to shape a pivotal day in the battle for the world crown.
