**Evans on Brink of World Title After Saudi Arabian Round Cancelled**
Elfyn Evans's aspirations for a world rally championship title have received a significant boost following the cancellation of the final round of the season in Saudi Arabia. The decision, announced by the governing body of motorsport, the FIA, was made due to ongoing safety concerns related to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. The title will now be contested in Sardinia next month, shifting the focus to the Italian round of the championship.
The Saudi Arabian round, originally scheduled to take place from November 11 to 14, was set to conclude the World Rally Championship (WRC) season. However, the FIA cited "ongoing uncertainty in the region" as a primary factor in their decision to remove the Jeddah-based event from the calendar. The cancellation means that Evans, who drives for Toyota, will enter the final round in Sardinia with a 17-point lead over his Finnish teammate, Sami Pajari.
This situation places Evans on the verge of becoming Britain's third world rally champion, following in the footsteps of Colin McRae, who won in 1995, and Richard Burns, who claimed the title in 2001. Evans has been a consistent contender in recent seasons, having finished as runner-up five times in the last six years. He currently holds a total of 21 points over third-place Oliver Solberg, also of Toyota, who is positioned 21 points behind Evans.
The cancellation of the Saudi Arabian round alters the points available for the championship. With the final event now taking place in Sardinia, a maximum of 35 points can be earned, rather than the 70 that would have been available had the Saudi round proceeded. This adjustment heightens the stakes for all competitors as the championship nears its conclusion.
In a statement regarding the cancellation, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed the challenges faced in making the decision. “We have worked closely with our partners in Saudi Arabia, our Member Club the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, WRC Promoter, and our championship stakeholders in recent months to explore every possible route that would allow Rally Saudi Arabia to take place as planned,” he said. “However, ongoing regional developments mean that the WRC element of Rally Saudi Arabia will not proceed this year. These are never easy decisions, particularly after the significant work undertaken by everyone involved in preparing for the event.”
The decision to cancel the rally comes amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly following recent drone and missile attacks launched by Iran-backed Houthis from neighboring Yemen, which have raised alarms in various Saudi cities. While the FIA acknowledged Saudi Arabia's readiness to host the event safely, the prevailing circumstances ultimately led to the cancellation.
Despite the setback for the WRC, the Saudi Arabian rally will still take place, albeit as part of the Middle East championship. This adjustment allows the event to continue, albeit outside the context of the world championship.
The cancellation of the Saudi Arabian round also parallels challenges faced by other motorsport series, including Formula One, which is currently evaluating its season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. In the event of further cancellations, Italy's Imola circuit has been identified as a potential replacement venue.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the season-opening round of the all-electric Formula E championship in December, with the series indicating that if necessary, Mexico City will serve as the first round in January. Additionally, the Kingdom is set to host the Dakar Rally in January, showcasing its commitment to hosting major motorsport events despite the current challenges.
As the WRC season approaches its conclusion, all eyes will be on Sardinia, where Elfyn Evans will have the opportunity to secure his place in rallying history and potentially become the next British world champion.