Changes have been made by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council in Paris overnight in an effort to boost the current state of the World Rally Championship.
In 2014 the WRC points leader will now start first on the road for day one of every event.
The changes mean an end to the WRC qualifying stage format which had been adopted in 2012 to replace the general two-hour Thursday shakedown for WRC teams.
Days two and three will then see a reverse leaderboard running order for P1 and P2 drivers.
WRC Crews returning to the event under Rally 2 regulations will start at the back of the P1 and P2 drivers running order.
A fixed format for all rounds of the 2014 WRC season was also agreed upon by the World Motor Sport Council in Paris.
“To bring consistency to events and thereby aid the Promoter, rallies must now follow a fixed format,” the FIA World Motor Sport Council decision stated.
“There will be a ceremonial start on Thursday, with the last stage run on Sunday at approximately 12:00 hrs for European events.
“The final stage is defined as the Power Stage, the length of which will be set at a minimum of 10 kilometres.”
In order to allow greater flexibility to contract different drivers, manufacturers have also been granted greater flexibility by the FIA and will no longer be required to nominate one permanent driver for the season.
Instead, manufacturers will be obliged to nominate one driver for a minimum of 10 Championship events where previously a nominated driver was required for all 13.
The World Motor Sport Council also approved a date change for the Rally of Italy which moves back one week and will now start on June 5.
The Coates Hire Rally Australia remains unchanged with its original dates of 12 – 14 September secured for 2014.
