Rally Portugal Criticism Sparks WRC and FIA Schedule Reforms

Rally Portugal has prompted a strong reaction from the World Rally Championship and the FIA, with both groups now working to address the demands of future event schedules. The latest round of the championship in Portugal featured a packed program, including two more stages than the previous year.

Drivers and teams started on Friday at 7:35 a.m. and finished only at 9 p.m., spending 14 hours in their cars. Competitors covered a total distance of 683 kilometers that day, including 146 kilometers of competitive stages. More details on Friday’s route are available here.

Image credit: www.wrc.com

Only two short remote service breaks and two brief regroup stops were allowed, leaving little opportunity for teams to rest or eat. Saturday’s action started even earlier, with the first cars leaving the service park at 6 a.m. for another long day.

On Sunday, the schedule featured six stages instead of four, adding to the overall challenge for teams. Although longer days are part of what makes rallying demanding, this year’s format left drivers and teams with very limited time to reset and prepare for each leg.

Championship contender Kalle Rovanperä spoke candidly on live television, warning that the taxing schedule increased the safety risk for everyone involved. Sebastien Ogier, who took the win, said this rally was among the most physically challenging of his career and agreed that future schedules would need to be adjusted.

Despite the heavy workload, Rally Portugal drew record crowds, and the event ran smoothly without major incidents. The WRC Promoter admitted that this year’s format might have pushed the limits for how many consecutive long days participants can handle. For more on rally safety regulations, visit the FIA’s official guidelines.

A statement confirmed that both the FIA and WRC Promoter are now drafting new guidelines to set clear limits on working hours for everyone, including teams and event organizers. These proposals are currently being considered by all stakeholders involved in the series.

Organizers hope to put new regulations in place within a few months. The work-life balance in rally racing has been a topic of discussion before, but this rally brought it into sharper focus. For insights into athlete workload management, see this World Health Organization report.

Ahead of the event, the WRC’s latest commission had the promoter conduct a report into the issue, aiming to advise event organizers on better schedule management. Elfyn Evans, the current championship leader, highlighted how these long days affect not just drivers, but also TV crews, marshals, mechanics, and everyone supporting the event.

He noted that team mechanics often start their days before sunrise and finish after midnight, adding even more strain. One reason for making Friday’s route longer, according to the FIA, was to help secure funding for the rally by including more towns along the course. Learn more about event logistics from Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

Sporting delegate Timo Rautiainen explained that while a long opening day worked for Portugal, this would not be a regular feature at every WRC round. He also mentioned that organizers try to renew at least a fifth of the route every year to keep events fresh.

With pressure mounting from drivers and teams, the WRC and FIA are taking steps toward a more manageable schedule for all involved. The criticism from Rally Portugal may lead to well-defined limits on working hours and improved guidelines for future event planning. Several drivers faced challenges, including Fourmaux’s rally failure in Portugal, demonstrating the toll of the demanding format.

Image credit: www.youtube.com

New standards are expected to be announced soon, aiming for a safer and more sustainable rallying experience in the 2025 season and beyond. For further reading on motorsport sustainability, check out Motorsport UK’s initiatives.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.