Rally Portugal criticism causes WRC, FIA to address event schedules

The World Rally Championship and the FIA are working to address future event schedules after Rally Portugal’s extreme itinerary drew widespread criticism from drivers.

Last weekend’s round featured a revised schedule from the event organisers, which included two more stages compared to last year and was signed off by the FIA.

It meant crews tackled 10 stages on Friday, beginning with a first test at 7:35am before eventually returning back to the Porto service park at 9pm.

Across the day drivers and co-drivers spent 14 hours in their cars, covering a total distance of 683 kilometres, of which 146km were competitive stages. The day was only punctuated by two 20-minute remote services and two short regroups restricting drivers on time to eat and rest.

The action resumed on Saturday with the first car checking out of the service park at 6am, ahead of another 13-hour day. Sunday featured six stages, instead of the four witnessed last year, with crews starting the first test at 6:43am. 

Drivers welcome long days in the championship that add to the challenge of events. But the short Friday night to recover and analyse onboard videos to prepare for Saturday’s action, and the cumulative knock-on effect of the three days combined left many questioning the format.

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Speaking during a live television interview, Kalle Rovanpera stated the schedule posed a safety risk for crews, while rally winner Sebastien Ogier admitted it was among the most physically demanding contests of his career and felt changes to the future schedules would be required.

The rally once again drew huge crowds throughout the event running without incident, but WRC Promoter has conceded that it hit some limits which will be addressed by new guidelines.  

"The itinerary for the 2025 Vodafone Rally Portugal was designed to create a unique challenge within the 2025 WRC season - and for sure it has achieved that,” read a statement from WRC Promoter. 

"But we also believe that it has likely hit some limits for the length of consecutive days that can be sustained.

“It's for this reason that the FIA and WRC Promoter have drafted some guidelines for the limits on working hours for people working in teams and the event organisation. 

“These are being considered by all stakeholder groups now, and we hope to reach a regulatory framework that considers all requirements in the coming months.”

Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Prior to the rally, the matter of working hours and pressure for those working in the WRC was discussed during the latest WRC Commission after the championship’s promoter conducted a report into the matter.

It was agreed that a set of guidelines would be produced “for event organisers to better advise and inform on improving practices when creating itineraries and the schedule of rally week”.

The target is for these guidelines to be in place from next year. Reacting to the statement from the WRC, championship leader Elfyn Evans, said: “It has been brought up in so many meetings for years and nobody is doing anything about it.

“I don’t know why it has come to something as completely extreme as this for people to start listening or realising there is an issue.

“It is not just drivers, it is everyone, it is TV crews, it is marshals, teams and mechanics as well.

“The mechanics are not working all day, but they are still travelling to these remote services and they are at the service park at 4am and they have to stay at the flexi-service until midnight. It is too much.”

Why Friday’s leg was increased

Diogo Salvi, Axel Coronado, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1

Photo by: M-Sport

The FIA has explained that adding a longer Friday leg was a key factor in delivering the funding for this year’s event - but admitted it is not a feature it would agree to for all rallies. 

“The itinerary included two new stages this year, which made Friday a longer day than usual for everybody,” said FIA sporting delegate Timo Rautiainen in the FIA’s rally review document.

“But it’s something that needs to be done in Portugal because there is a reliance on including as many municipalities as possible within the route to support the rally and make it happen.

“A mammoth Friday made for a strong opening to the rally and we kept all but one of the P1 crews in the game. The crew that did retire was due to an unfortunate mechanical issue that can occur on any rally.

“We also look to the event organisers to freshen up their routes and, while it’s not a rule, it’s always nice for at least 20% of the route to be renewed yearly.  

“Of course, we would not look to include a day as long as Friday on every round of the championship, but a day like this in Portugal can work."