Nasser Al Attiyah wins Rally Saudi Arabia – Round three of the 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship
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Round Three of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship
May 1-3, 2025
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
FIA MERC Arrives in Jeddah for the First Time
For the first time, the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) arrives in Jeddah with Rally Saudi Arabia, taking place from May 1–3, 2025. As the third round of the championship, the event reinforces the Kingdom’s growing investment in rallying and serves as a key milestone on the road to hosting the final round of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) later this year.
A World-Class Rally HQ at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Rally operations will be based at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, home to the FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Key facilities include:
A World-Class Rally HQ at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Rally operations will be based at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, home to the FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Key facilities include:
- Service Area & Scrutineering: Located in the Formula 1 pit garages
- Rally HQ & Direction: Based in the Race Control building
Gravel Roads, Big Challenges: The Heart of the 2025 MERC
The 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) promises to deliver an exciting season with six thrilling events spread across the region. The inclusion of Saudi Arabia as a host is a historic milestone, signalling its ambition to create a memorable event for the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Here’s the full calendar for the 2025 MERC:
General Overview of the 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship
The FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) has long been a cornerstone of rallying in the region, featuring a mix of seasoned competitors and emerging talent across diverse terrains. Known for its combination of challenging gravel roads, high-speed desert tracks, the MERC provides a comprehensive test of driver skill and vehicle durability.
The 2025 season is particularly significant, with Saudi Arabia making its championship debut, signalling its growing interest in hosting major motorsport events like the WRC in the future. This addition enriches the diversity of the calendar and brings new challenges to teams and drivers alike. The MERC also serves as a crucial platform for developing regional talent, offering a pathway to international rallying.
The 2025 season is particularly significant, with Saudi Arabia making its championship debut, signalling its growing interest in hosting major motorsport events like the WRC in the future. This addition enriches the diversity of the calendar and brings new challenges to teams and drivers alike. The MERC also serves as a crucial platform for developing regional talent, offering a pathway to international rallying.
A True Test of Skill & Endurance
Rally Saudi Arabia will feature 12 competitive stages set north of Jeddah, designed to challenge even the most seasoned rally drivers.
- Diverse Terrain: Competitors will tackle mountainous tracks, volcanic rocks, and desert sand dunes – a mix of rock, gravel, and compacted sand.
- Breathtaking Views: Expect dramatic twists, climbs, descents, and high-speed valley roads on compacted sand.
- Fan-Friendly Experience: The rally stages will be easily accessible from Jeddah, making it an exciting event for spectators and rally fans.
Rally Schedule & Key Events
The 2025 MERC schedule is made up of five events open to Rally2, Rally3, Rally4, Rally5 and new-for-2024 Rally5-Kit machinery, plus Group N4 and R4 cars. SSV (previously T4) Cross-Country cars are also permitted to take part on a non-points-scoring basis and in a separate SSV class.
Thursday, May 1 – Shakedown & Opening Ceremony
Thursday, May 1 – Shakedown & Opening Ceremony
- Morning: Shakedown session – teams fine-tune their cars ahead of the competition.
- Evening: Official Rally Start on the ROSHN Waterfront, set against the stunning Red Sea backdrop.
- Crews leave Rally HQ at Jeddah Corniche Circuit and take on three rally stages.
- After a midday service, competitors repeat the same loop in the afternoon.
- Total competitive distance: 96 km.
- Crews take on another three stages in the morning, followed by a service stop.
- The same three stages are repeated in the afternoon.
- Total competitive distance: 96 km.
- 17:00 – The winners are crowned back at the ROSHN Waterfront.
News
Saudi Arabia is preparing for a significant step towards joining the World Rally Championship (WRC) under the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), as the kingdom will host a trial event in May and has opened registration for participation.
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