Drivers Brace for Unpredictable Finale as WRC Arrives in Saudi Arabia
Evans, Ogier and Rovanperä face metal-hard terrain and title decider at inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia in Jeddah
The finale of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) heads to Saudi Arabia this week, for the first-ever Rally Saudi Arabia based in Jeddah from November 26 to 29 as the title fight pivots to uncharted terrain.
WRC frontrunners Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä arrive with realistic hopes of the crown — and genuine uncertainty hovering over what lies ahead.
Evans arrives with a narrow three-point lead over Ogier and 24 ahead of Rovanperä, but the combination of sand, gravel and asphalt roads around Jeddah makes the margin almost meaningless, many drivers say.
“Adventure might be the word.
Lottery fits well as well,” Ogier told media after recce of stage SS11/14 Wadi Almatwi.
“Honestly … we are concerned about our safety in places because it’s far too extreme.”
Evans admitted that flat-out driving seems an unreasonable expectation here.
“I think to go flat out from start to finish without some issue is more or less impossible,” he said.
“You have to use your head a little bit.
There’s an element of luck needed here, I think, to get through well.” For his part, Rovanperä acknowledged that he stands “well off the pace” but sees this as an opportunity rather than simply a risk.
“Definitely more soft and rough than what you even expect,” he said of the route.
“You need a rough rally mindset.”
Other competitors echoed similar warnings.
Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai described sections of rock-infested roads where “unexpected rocks coming out from the ground” can change the race in an instant.
Reflecting the unpredictability, he noted the flatter sections still require full commitment while the rougher parts force caution.
The terrain for this event is confirmed: 17 special stages covering around 319 km of timed distance, forming part of the new Jeddah-based rally route combining open-desert speed and broken, abrupt surfaces.
With limited historical data and a form-book that cannot yet exist, the final weekend of the WRC season gives full rein to variables.
Teams will contend with wide, sweeping roads, shifting sand, blind crests and rapidly changing grip.
For spectators and competitors alike, the message is clear: calculated risk trumps raw pace, and survival could be the headline.
The champion will not necessarily be the fastest, but likely the smartest and luckiest on Saudi Arabia’s debut rally stage.
WRC frontrunners Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä arrive with realistic hopes of the crown — and genuine uncertainty hovering over what lies ahead.
Evans arrives with a narrow three-point lead over Ogier and 24 ahead of Rovanperä, but the combination of sand, gravel and asphalt roads around Jeddah makes the margin almost meaningless, many drivers say.
“Adventure might be the word.
Lottery fits well as well,” Ogier told media after recce of stage SS11/14 Wadi Almatwi.
“Honestly … we are concerned about our safety in places because it’s far too extreme.”
Evans admitted that flat-out driving seems an unreasonable expectation here.
“I think to go flat out from start to finish without some issue is more or less impossible,” he said.
“You have to use your head a little bit.
There’s an element of luck needed here, I think, to get through well.” For his part, Rovanperä acknowledged that he stands “well off the pace” but sees this as an opportunity rather than simply a risk.
“Definitely more soft and rough than what you even expect,” he said of the route.
“You need a rough rally mindset.”
Other competitors echoed similar warnings.
Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai described sections of rock-infested roads where “unexpected rocks coming out from the ground” can change the race in an instant.
Reflecting the unpredictability, he noted the flatter sections still require full commitment while the rougher parts force caution.
The terrain for this event is confirmed: 17 special stages covering around 319 km of timed distance, forming part of the new Jeddah-based rally route combining open-desert speed and broken, abrupt surfaces.
With limited historical data and a form-book that cannot yet exist, the final weekend of the WRC season gives full rein to variables.
Teams will contend with wide, sweeping roads, shifting sand, blind crests and rapidly changing grip.
For spectators and competitors alike, the message is clear: calculated risk trumps raw pace, and survival could be the headline.
The champion will not necessarily be the fastest, but likely the smartest and luckiest on Saudi Arabia’s debut rally stage.
