Paraguay’s President and FIA chief celebrate rallying’s new era

Rally del Paraguay draws 300,000 fans as country strengthens its position on global motorsport stage

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña joined FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and hundreds of thousands of fans at the FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay, highlighting the country’s growing role in international motorsport.

The two leaders discussed the development of motorsport in Paraguay and across the Americas, including opportunities for young drivers and greater access to grassroots competition. They also watched the Paraguayan-built ‘Paso de los Teros’, a replica of the iconic Group B Audi Quattro S1, compete on the Encarnación stage.

The rally attracted around 300,000 fans, a 42.8% increase from its inaugural event in 2025. The weekend also followed the FIA’s landmark new long-term commercial rights agreement for the World Rally Championship and European Rally Championship, which includes new investment and an FIA Growth Fund aimed at supporting rallying from international competition to grassroots level.

Ben Sulayem praised Paraguay’s passion for motorsport and stressed the importance of creating opportunities for young competitors. Peña said the FIA’s continued presence reflects growing confidence in Paraguay as a motorsport partner and reaffirmed the country’s ambition to maintain the Rally del Paraguay’s status as a leading event on the WRC calendar.