The World Rally Championship implemented a radical new scoring system for the 2024 season.
The previous points system, which ended in 2023, was the same one used in Formula 1, with 25 points being awarded to the winner and going down in the following scale for the rest of the top 10: 18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.
Additionally, drivers could earn bonus points for the WRC’s Power Stage at the end of Sunday, with five points going to the winner, four for second, three for third, two for fourth and one for fifth.
This system for the Power Stage has remained the same for 2024, but the WRC introduced an entirely new scoring system across the weekend, with points up for grabs on both Saturday and Sunday.
The change has come under criticism from drivers and teams, and speaking with Motorsport.com, some of the WRC’s leading figures have revealed that the points system is being reassessed for 2025.
WRC to consider four proposals for a new points system in 2025
The new 2024 system sees the top 10 score points on a sliding scale of 18-15-13-10-8-6-4-3-2-1 on a Saturday, but these points are not given out straightaway.
Saturday’s points are only awarded to drivers if they finish the rally on Sunday. If a driver fails to finish on Sunday, Saturday’s points will be awarded to the next best finisher.
Sunday offers a separate points allocation to the top seven on the scale 7-6-5-4-3-2-1, as well as the aforementioned Power Stage bonus points. This system has been met with criticism from drivers, teams and fans due to the fact that it devalues an overall victory at a rally.
As a result, the WRC are considering a change to the system for 2025, with WRC Commission president Pernilla Solberg revealing there are four possible concepts being looked at.
“We have currently four proposals, different systems that we are checking to see how each system if it was in place today would look,” she said.
“We now want to make sure everyone agrees and understands and then that will be voted on later this year.”
FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley gave his view on the teams’ criticism and confirmed that there will be an ‘evolution’ to the points system come 2025: “Some people have complained about the point system.
“Others have used it a bit strategically or to their advantage, or used it to get them out of jail. But then other people don’t want to put the risk in.
“What we haven’t heard this year so far is that we’ve had boring Sundays.
“I think there will be an evolution, no question, It will be decided by the WRC Commission and they don’t have to do that until the last session of the year.”
READ MORE: Thierry Neuville shares the ‘excuse’ Sebastien Ogier will use if he doesn’t win the WRC championship
Thierry Neuville looks set for his first WRC title
Under the new points system in 2024, Thierry Neuville is on course to claim his first ever WRC title.
The Belgian claimed his second win of the season at Acropolis Rally Greece as Hyundai dominated the field to grab a one-two-three finish, with Dani Sordo in second and Ott Tanak in third.
Neuville extends his lead at the top of the standings to 34 points as Tanak leapfrogs Sebastien Ogier in second by four points. Toyota’s nightmare of a weekend in Greece sees them slip 35 points behind Hyundai in the manufacturers’ championship.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala has urged his drivers to forget about both championships after Greece, as Neuville looks set to break his streak and finally reach the top of the WRC.