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FIA outlines condensed WRC weekend plan
The FIA is preparing a major schedule overhaul for the World Rally Championship, intending to gradually increase the number of events staged under a shorter format beginning in 2027. Under the governing body's roadmap, approximately 25 percent of WRC rounds are expected to transition to the condensed timetable for the 2027 season, with that proportion scheduled to rise further in 2028. The planned transition follows a trial of the compressed structure conducted during the 2026 championship at Rally Estonia.
Promoter alignment and advance notice rules
Emilia Abel, the FIA road sport director, outlined the initiative in comments reported by rallyjournal.com, confirming that the governing body and the championship promoter have established a shared objective to transition to the new format year after year. Abel explained that confirming specifics for the latter half of future calendars remains premature because event organizers are required to submit their timetables six months in advance. She emphasized that the FIA maintains an open stance toward format variations, evaluating proposals on an individual basis to act in the best interests of the championship.
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Structure of the 50-hour Estonian trial
Throughout the 2026 season, the vast majority of World Rally Championship rounds followed the traditional itinerary spanning Thursday through Sunday. Rally Estonia evaluated an alternative concept that compressed competitive running into roughly 50 hours while retaining the standard distance of 300 kilometres across its special stages. The restructured timetable permitted teams to arrive in Tartu later than usual, shifting reconnaissance to Wednesday and Thursday before the Friday morning test stage. Competitors then tackled six special stages across Friday afternoon and evening, including a tyre change during the loop.
Rest rules and modified daily schedules
The condensed timetable also prompted later starts on Saturday and Sunday. Under FIA regulations, competitors must be granted a minimum rest period of ten hours between competition days, meaning Saturday's running commenced later than at other championship fixtures. Saturday's leg comprised nine special stages and concluded late in the evening. On Sunday, action consisted of two passes over the 24.39-kilometre Kaariku stage. The opening Sunday test began at 11:00, getting underway roughly two and a half hours later than the start of the final day at the Acropolis Rally.
Geographic limitations for future adoption
This condensed schedule was made possible because the special stages in Estonia are situated significantly closer to the service park than those at many other championship rounds. As a result, the FIA views the Tartu format as an operational template specifically for rallies that possess similar geographic characteristics, rather than an automatic universal replacement across the global calendar.
Sources: FIA szykuje rewolucję w WRC. Rajdy w nowym formacie już od 2027 roku.
