The FIA has told DirtFish it is entering ‘the closing stages’ of the tender process to find a new World Rally Championship promoter.
News had been expected from last week’s FIA General Assembly in Uzbekistan, but the decision on which entity will take control of the commercial rights for the next 25 years of the WRC is taking longer than initially anticipated.
An FIA spokesperson said: “The appointment of a new promoter is a significant moment for the future of the championship, and the FIA is currently assessing a number of proposals as part of the tender process.
“These are complex agreements, and it is essential that sufficient time is taken to evaluate each submission thoroughly to ensure the best possible outcome for the long-term growth of the championship.
“The FIA is in close collaboration with both the vendor and potential purchasers and, while discussions are ongoing, all parties are now entering the closing stages of this process.”
Tendering parties have been present across several WRC rounds in the second half of the season and DirtFish sources have reported the decision has come down to two separate entities.
One source said: “There’s no doubt, the timescale for this whole operation [has been] complicated – it’s very short. Is it better to make the rush, or to take the time and bring the right decision?
“Don’t forget, we have Malcolm [Wilson, FIA deputy president for sport] in there working from the FIA – he is somebody with his lifetime in the sport. Maybe [the] news isn’t coming today, but when it comes it has to be good.”
