EA SPORTS WRC’s latest update brought with it a raft of game and content updates, including a 2024 championship season mode, allowing players to simulate the WRC’s 13-round calendar.
As a bonus, 2024’s highly divisive points system has also been included, which we feel necessitates a bit of an explainer given its complicated nature.
The WRC’s 2024 points system explained
Essentially, drivers can score points on both Saturdays and Sundays of a rally. So, if a driver loses several minutes on Friday and Saturday’s stages and scores zero points, they can still return to action on ‘Super Sunday’ and aim for a maximum of 12 points. This consists of seven points for being the fastest across all of Sunday’s stages with an extra five points for winning the Power Stage.
Drivers can accrue a maximum of 18 points from Friday and Saturday’s combined loops of stages but they need to finish the whole rally safely to score these points.
The total number of theoretical points a driver can score across a rally weekend has not changed, however, remaining at 30.Â
Why did the WRC’s points system change?
The WRC’s points system changed to help produce a better show for TV viewers and spectators on Sundays. Previously, many drivers opted to cruise through the final loop to ensure their tyres were in the best possible condition for the points-paying Power Stage, reducing the spectacle somewhat.
Now, drivers have more points to aim form incentivising them to drive at their spectacular best throughout the event.
How has the WRC’s new points system been received?
The new WRC points system has been received poorly by fans and competitors alike, mostly owing to its confusing premise.
In theory, the rally winner could score fewer points than the drivers behind, with the final points tallies from Saturday and Sunday only confirmed after the final stage. Hmm.
It is thought that the unpopular points system will be tweaked further for 2025.
2024 WRC Saturday points
- 1st – 18 points
- 2nd – 15 points
- 3rd – 13 points
- 4th – 10 points
- 5th – 8 points
- 6th – 6 points
- 7th – 4 points
- 8th – 3 points
- 9th – 2 points
- 10th – 1 point
2024 WRC Sunday points
- 1st – 7 points
- 2nd – 6 points
- 3rd – 5 points
- 4th – 4 points
- 5th – 3 points
- 6th – 2 points
- 7th – 1 point
2024 WRC Sunday Power Stage points
- 1st – 5 points
- 2nd – 4 points
- 3rd – 3 points
- 4th – 2 points
- 5th – 1 point
Maximum theoretical WRC Sunday points
- 12 points
Maximum theoretical WRC overall rally points
- 30 points
