The WRC is currently undergoing an extensive review in a bid to improve its appeal following recent criticism from drivers, teams and fans.
A list of ideas put forward by stakeholders have been collated following several meetings over the last two months. The WRC Promoter and FIA are now working on a proposal of changes for 2024 that will eventually be tabled to the FIA World Motor Sport Council later this year.
The first wave of tweaks to events were successfully introduced in Estonia last weekend, which included replacing a pre-event press conference with a new “meet the crews” show held on stage in front of thousands of fans at the ceremonial start. This, in addition to the post-event press conference, were live streamed to fans for free for the first time, receiving a positive response.
However, more significant changes to championship events won’t be made until next year with the WRC confirming that improving its Sunday format is at the top of its agenda.
Sunday has come in for criticism as crews are often cruising to save tyres before the rally-ending Power Stage, where bonus points are up for grabs. WRC senior sporting director Peter Thul has revealed that one idea under discussion to improve the show is to develop a new points structure.
“Sunday [format] is the top of the list,” Thul told Autosport.
“I was even surprised when I got the internal data but a lot of people are watching rallying on Sunday morning and we would like to have Sunday as a proper finale, and that’s not because nothing happens on Friday and Saturday.
“We would like to avoid cruising. There was a discussion about whether a fresh set of tyres would help. A large group of the drivers said no. There is not a 100% proper solution.
Source: Autosport