The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) is stepping into the future, bringing fans closer than ever to the action with its revolutionary Command Centre project. From live team-driver communications to virtual ghost cars, these innovations are set to transform how rallying is experienced, both on the ground and from the comfort of home.
Tuning in on Team Conversations
For years, fans have watched as drivers and co-drivers discussed strategies, but now, thanks to the WRC’s Command Centre, they can listen in. At Rallye Monte-Carlo, WRC tested live radio transmissions between teams and drivers, giving viewers access to pre-stage briefings, mid-rally updates, and post-stage debriefs.
Senior Director of Content and Communication at WRC Promoter, Florian Ruth, explained to Heather McLean at SVG Europe: “We’ve included clips of team radio in the broadcasts, showing conversations between engineers and drivers. This offers a fresh perspective because previously, viewers only saw them talking but never heard the exchanges.”
While connectivity remains a challenge in the remote and rugged landscapes of WRC events, the introduction of live team-driver comms represents a major step forward in immersing fans in the sport’s behind-the-scenes action.
Unleashing Data to Explain the Speed
As the Command Centre expands, so does the level of analysis available to fans. The goal? To break down why one car is faster than another on certain sections of a stage. By diving into braking techniques, throttle inputs, steering angles, and car setup details, WRC commentators will soon be able to provide unparalleled insight into performance differences.
“When we can truly analyse the data for the fans, we’ll be able to explain why a driver gains time in a specific split compared to rivals,” Ruth noted. “It could be down to braking, throttle control, steering input, or even car balance. This will give audiences a completely new way to understand rallying.”
This level of analysis is already commonplace in disciplines like Formula 1 and NASCAR, and WRC is looking to integrate advanced graphics and touchscreen displays into its broadcasts to enhance storytelling. As the technology progresses, the WRC studio could soon resemble something out of a top-tier motorsport production.
Ghost cars: Bringing the race to life
One of the most exciting developments in WRC’s tech evolution is the planned introduction of ghost cars into broadcasts. In rallying, drivers compete against the clock rather than each other directly, but a ghost car feature will allow fans to visually compare different runs in real-time.
Ruth elaborated: “With the available data, we can calculate the exact position of the leader and overlay it onto the live broadcast. It’s like a video game where you see the car you’re trying to catch—it brings a whole new dynamic to rally viewing.”
Unlike traditional timing graphics, this innovation will allow fans to see a transparent, virtual representation of another competitor’s car on the same section of road. This will make split-second time gaps more tangible and create an even more immersive experience.
While this feature is still in development, early tests have shown promising results, and Ruth hinted that we might see ghost cars on screen sooner than expected. “Originally, this was planned for next season, but based on our early trials, we know it’s possible, and it could arrive sooner.”
The road ahead
WRC is working with Tata, NEP Finland, and its graphics agency, Rawmotion, to bring these ambitious projects to life. As the Command Centre rolls out further, rally broadcasts will become more interactive, data-driven, and engaging than ever before.
Up next on the WRC calendar is Rally Sweden from 13 to 16 February, where drivers will navigate frozen forests at speeds exceeding 200 km/h on studded tyres. With the sport’s digital evolution in motion, it won’t be long before fans are not just watching the action but experiencing it in an entirely new way.