Ben Sulayem says Paraguay’s FIA WRC debut signals new era for global rallying
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), has described Paraguay’s debut in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and the upcoming season finale in Saudi Arabia as a turning point for rallying at the highest level.
Ben Sulayem attended the ceremonial opening of the inaugural FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay 2025 in Encarnación, Itapúa region, alongside Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. The event marks the country’s first inclusion on the WRC calendar and is being hailed as a historic moment for both Paraguayan motorsport and the wider South American rallying community.
“Paraguay has a profound love for motorsport. Here, rallying is more than a sport—it is part of the national identity,” said Ben Sulayem during the opening ceremony. “This is a historic moment for Paraguay, for South America, and for global motorsport. Over the coming days, the eyes of the world will be on Encarnación. That is the power of motorsport, of collaboration, and of the FIA.”
The FIA President emphasized that the World Rally Championship is entering an exciting new era, driven by expansion into new territories, global fan engagement, and growing appeal among younger audiences. With Rally Saudi Arabia set to close the 2025 season in November, the championship is expected to strengthen its global presence.
Ben Sulayem also expressed gratitude to President Peña for his support, as well as to the Touring y Automóvil Club Paraguayo, drivers, teams, organizers, officials, and fans for making the event possible.
Following the ceremonial opening, the competition moved into multi-stage racing, featuring a mix of fast red-earth tracks and challenging technical sections through dense vegetation.
Earlier this month, the FIA confirmed that it will launch a tender process to appoint a new commercial rights holder for the WRC, following discussions with current partners Red Bull and KW25. The move comes at a time when the championship is experiencing strong growth, with a cumulative television audience of 1.3 billion and over 4 million on-site visitors recorded in 2024.
With Paraguay’s entry and Saudi Arabia’s upcoming debut, the FIA WRC is set to expand its global reach, reflecting both its rich tradition and growing influence in international motorsport.
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