The 2024 WRC season begins with the Monte Carlo Rally on 25-28 January where reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera is unlikely to defend his title.
The double world champion, who has won the past two titles, will only contest the 2024 season as a part-time driver to “recharge his batteries” ahead of a return to full-time competition in 2025.
His championship hunt will begin with 210 miles of tarmac and snow in the spectacular mountains around Monaco, which will also see the WRC debut changes to the event format, so here is everything explained.
A new WRC points structure will be introduced for 2024 as an attempt to improve entertainment on the final day of a rally weekend. Previously, drivers would often contest stages at a reduced pace to preserve tyres for the weekend closing Power Stage, which offers bonus points to the five fastest times.
Under the new system, championship points will be split into two with rewards on offer at the end of Saturday and Sunday, although a total of 30 remains the prize for a perfect rally. So, a sliding scale of 18-15-13-10-8-6-4-3-2-1 will be awarded at the end of Saturday, with 7-6-5-4-3- 2-1 then given the following day while the Power Stage is unchanged where the top five pairings score 5-4-3-2-1.
Source: Autosport