The President of Paraguay, H.E. Santiago Peña, joined FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem and hundreds of thousands of passionate fans at FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay this weekend, celebrating the rapid growth of motorsport in the country and an exciting new chapter for rallying worldwide.
The two Presidents met during the rally weekend to discuss the continued development of motorsport in Paraguay and across the Americas, from creating opportunities for young people at grassroots level to bringing more world-class competition to the region.
Together, they watched the iconic ‘Paso de los Teros’, a replica of the legendary Group B Audi Quattro S1, which has been built in Paraguay, take on SS17 Encarnación. The moment held particular significance for President Ben Sulayem, a 14-time FIA Middle East Rally Champion, who competed in an Audi Quattro during his own rallying career at the 1987 Qatar Rally.
They also met local karters during their visit, seeing first-hand the enthusiasm for motorsport among the next generation and highlighting the importance of creating accessible pathways into competition.
Rally del Paraguay continues to strengthen its place on the international motorsport stage, with 300,000 fans experiencing the excitement of this round of the FIA World Rally Championship on the country’s distinctive red gravel roads – a huge 42.8% increase on fan numbers compared to its inaugural year in 2025.
The weekend also came at a pivotal moment for the future of rallying following the FIA’s landmark new long-term commercial rights agreement for the FIA World Rally Championship and FIA European Rally Championship.
Following FIA approval, Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital have acquired WRC Promoter GmbH in the ‘deal of the century’, bringing record new investment into rallying and putting fans at the heart of the sport’s next chapter. The partnership will focus on growing the Championships’ global audiences, strengthening storytelling and content, and bringing fans closer to the action.
Central to the agreement is a new FIA Growth Fund, designed to support the development of rallying worldwide, from the highest levels of international competition through to entry-level grassroots participation.
President Peña has been a strong supporter of bringing the FIA World Rally Championship to Paraguay and developing the country’s wider motorsport ambitions. Paraguay also hosted the 2025 FIA American Congress in Asunción, uniting FIA Member Clubs from across the Americas to collaborate on the future of motorsport and mobility.
Speaking during the event, H.E. President Santiago Peña said: “President Ben Sulayem’s presence at the Rally del Paraguay for a second consecutive year is a powerful recognition of Paraguay’s growing role on the world motorsport stage. It reflects the FIA’s confidence in Paraguay as a reliable partner for the future, and in the passion of our people for motorsport – particularly rally.
“The Rally del Paraguay has already been recognized as the Best Rally in the World, and we are determined to uphold that distinction. Its challenging roads, exceptional landscapes and passionate fans make it a truly unmissable event on the WRC calendar.”
FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The passion for motorsport in Paraguay is incredible. President Peña shares that passion and understands the opportunities our sport can create for young people, communities and the country.
“It was particularly special to watch the Audi Quattro take to the stage here. It is a car that means a great deal to me from my own rallying career, and seeing it on these roads, surrounded by so many passionate fans, was a fantastic moment.
“But the future of our sport is just as important as its history. Meeting the young drivers here and seeing their enthusiasm shows why we must continue creating opportunities and increasing accessibility.
“Our landmark new promoter agreement for the Championship will help us do exactly that. We are bringing significant new investment into rallying, putting fans at the centre of its future and, through the new FIA Growth Fund, supporting the sport at all levels.
“My thanks to my dear friend President Santiago Peña for his continued support, and to Dr. Hugo Mersan, President of the Touring y Automóvil Club Paraguayo, and his team for their commitment to growing motorsport and bringing the FIA World Rally Championship to the people of Paraguay.”
FIA Member Club the Touring y Automóvil Club Paraguayo (TACPy), led by President Dr. Hugo Mersan, has played a central role in establishing Rally del Paraguay and growing motorsport participation across the country. Working closely with the FIA and national authorities, TACPy continues to strengthen Paraguay’s position within the international motorsport community and ensure the momentum generated by this rally translates into sustainable growth for the sport across the country.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
- Geri Sherwin, Director of Presidential & Mobility Communications: gsherwin@fia.com
- Joe Kidd, Presidential Communications Officer: jkidd@fia.com
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.
Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 246 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.
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