WRC Promoter CEO Éric Boullier has explained why the World Rally Championship was not able to replace its cancelled final round in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia was scheduled to host the 2026 season finale on November 12-15, but “ongoing uncertainty in the region and its effect on logistical arrangements” forced the WRC to rearrange its plans to visit the kingdom.
The event, however, will still run as a round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
A gravel-based Rally Spain in Salou had been touted as an alternative, but Boullier confirmed there was not enough time to ensure the event was capable of stepping back up to the WRC.
“It’s never great to cancel rounds, especially when we have a long term partner like Saudi Arabia, so for us it’s not if it’s a right or wrong decision, it’s a decision which has been taken by all the stakeholders, FIA included, to ensure the safety of the people,” Boullier told DirtFish.
“It’s a decision we had to take. I know people are saying there is no replacement, and wil it change the championship? Yes and no. But this is what it is, [it’s the] same for everybody. And we had to take a decision.”
Commenting directly on Spain, Boullier added: “It’s very late. The problem is it’s WRC, and we have obviously some processes and protocols to be in place. And the longer it takes, obviously, for us, the less obvious it was to make it in the proper conditions of WRC and in the proper condition of safety and everything.
“So the decision is done. We still have one round to go and then let’s focus on next year and bringing back all the rallies we have signed for and we expect to have.”
Toyota and Hyundai had made it clear that personnel could not travel to Saudi Arabia, but M-Sport Ford’s position was different.
Team principal Richard Millener told DirtFish: “I think it was a very difficult decision and there are many different layers to it. I quoted the other week that we were OK to attend and I would still stand by that.
“Ultimately the first place I would go to check is the UK company’s Foreign Office website which says it’s still OK at this moment in time. But obviously there are different policies for different companies and the FIA, the promoter and all the stakeholders were in a very difficult position to decide, but ultimately had to make a decision because the freight logistics were time-critical, and the decision was made not to go.
“It’s a real shame in terms of not having that event. It was a new event last year and it was obviously starting to try and start to build its presence. They did a fantastic job in the service park and everything they did on the stages was quite interesting, quite exciting. Amazing camera footage.
“We had issues with tires and punctures, but ultimately that can be compared to many events in the championship this year. So I think it’s a shame we lost the sporting event, but that’s a decision we’ve made, we respect that and come to terms with it.”
On the topic of missing a round, Millener added: “I’m sure every driver, every team will have a different perspective on it. For us, it’s obviously disappointing that we don’t get a last round as planned, but I think it’s probably the most sensible decision as opposed to trying to rush and push something in and maybe not be at the level that they need to be for the WRC.
“It’s nice for Sardinia to get the final send off for these cars, and honestly, I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be very nice for the team to have that little bit of extra break in preparation for next year.”
Although it may not have benefitted him – with a 17-point lead and now just one round to tackle – championship leader Elfyn Evans would’ve been happy to see a replacement rally, but is aware it wasn’t a straightforward decision.
“Yeah, I would have been happy to have a replacement and I don’t really know what’s going on in the background, I don’t know the details as to why or what have you that that didn’t happen, but of course you know we’re drivers. We’re happy to drive,” Evans said.
“I would have been more than happy to have a replacement but it looks like it wasn’t possible this time. So yeah, it’s a big job to put on an event of this scale. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision or an easy solution to try and find one.”
