WRC loses Nokia

Nokia and the WRC have today confirmed that the contract between the communication’s giant and the top tier of rallying has been terminated.

Said to be worth around £2.5m per season to the WRC on a long-term contract, Nokia came into the series at the start of the year to help with the complete revamp of the media coverage end of the series. The WRC also became know as the “World Rally Championship, powered by Nokia”. Nokia also re-introduced a WRC app, which, somewhat remarkably, was only available on Nokia devices.

WRC Commission President Jarmo Mahonen said the collapse of the deal was “quite a big loss to the championship”. According to Mahonen, the fiasco over the loss of the WRC promoter at the beginning of the year was partly to blame for Nokia's decision to leave prematurely.

"We didn't see it as just money coming in, Nokia was going to be a partner. It was a very good platform." he added.

However, in a turn of good news for the WRC, a new promoter will be announced in just over 2 weeks time at the World Motorsport Council's meeting on the 15 June. Rumours suggest that the FIA will take the position on themselves.