Alkass Digital
The 2024 Cyprus Rally, set for October 18-20, will bring this year’s shortened three-round FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) to a thrilling conclusion, with the potential crowning of a first-time champion. With 21 drivers set to compete in the Nicosia-based event, the spotlight is on the top contenders for the overall Drivers’ Championship: Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Jordanian Shaker Jweihan, and legendary Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah.
Al Kuwari’s Championship to Lose?
Currently leading the championship standings, Abdulaziz Al Kuwari holds a 12-point lead over Jweihan and a 14-point advantage over Al Attiyah. A fourth-place finish or higher in the general classification, combined with points in the Power Stage, would be enough for Al Kuwari to claim his first MERC title. However, a slip-up could open the door for the 19-time champion Al Attiyah to snatch a 20th title if he secures victory in both the rally and the Power Stage.
For Shaker Jweihan, a twist of fate could also lead to an unexpected triumph. A potential disaster for either Al Kuwari or Al Attiyah could allow Jweihan, who has already clinched the MERC2 Championship, to pull off a double victory and add the overall title to his accomplishments.
Unpredictable Outcomes on Cyprus Gravel
The Cyprus Rally has always been known for its unpredictability, and last year’s edition made history with a rare championship tie. Nasser Al Attiyah and his Omani rival, Abdullah Al Rawahi, finished the season with equal points. When the tie-break ruling couldn’t split them, a special FIA committee ruled that the two drivers would share the 2023 title, marking Al Attiyah's 19th regional title and Al Rawahi's first.
This year, with the Oman event canceled, Al Rawahi has opted out of the Cyprus Rally, acknowledging that his hopes of reclaiming the title were slim after a third-place finish in Qatar and a retirement in Jordan.
Al Kuwari and Rashid Al Muhannadi will pilot a pair of SRT-run Škodas, while Al Attiyah brings out his trusted Autotek Motorsport Škoda, which made its 2024 debut at the Jordan Rally in May. Cyprus drivers Panayiotis Yiangou and Aristos Nicolaou, in their Hyundai i20 R5, could also have a say in the final outcome, as a strong podium finish for Yiangou could disrupt the standings and affect the fate of the championship.
MERC2 and MERC4 Championships Settled Before the Start
Shaker Jweihan’s dominance in the MERC2 category means the Jordanian has already secured the title, leading his nearest rival, Shadi Shaban, by 12 points. While Jweihan’s competitors have not traveled to Cyprus, he is aiming for a strong finish alongside Lebanese co-driver Carlos Hanna, who is gunning for the MERC2 Co-drivers’ title.
In the MERC4 category, the Lebanese duo of Shadi El Fakih and Samer Sfeir are tied with absent competitors Saneem Payyakal and Musa Sherif. A finish in Cyprus would likely earn El Fakih and Sfeir both MERC4 titles.
Co-drivers’ Championship Still in Play
The co-drivers’ competition adds another layer of intrigue, with Italian veteran Giovanni Bernacchini, Al Attiyah’s regular co-driver, holding a narrow lead. His closest rivals, Loris Pascaud, Patrik Barth, and Marshall Clarke, will not be present in Cyprus. However, defending co-drivers’ champion Ata Al Hmoud, partnering with Al Muhannadi, still has an outside chance of reclaiming the title if the cards fall his way.
A Rally of History and Tradition
Organized by the Cyprus Automobile Association, this year's event will challenge competitors with 12 mostly gravel special stages, covering 191.20 kilometers of competitive driving over two days. The rally will be headquartered at the POED Building in Nicosia, with the service park nearby.
Due to political instability in parts of the Middle East, the Rally of Lebanon was excluded from the 2024 MERC calendar, while the final round in Oman was recently canceled. This leaves Cyprus as the championship-deciding event, heightening the stakes for drivers and teams as they prepare for a high-pressure, action-packed weekend.
As the Cyprus Rally approaches, all eyes will be on whether Abdulaziz Al Kuwari can hold his nerve to secure his first-ever MERC title or if Nasser Al Attiyah will once again prove his dominance and claim a 20th regional crown. One thing is certain: the roads of Cyprus are set to witness a thrilling battle for the championship.
Current FIA MERC Standings (After Round 2 of 3):
1. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT) - 49 points
2. Shaker Jweihan (JOR) - 37 points
3. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT) - 35 points
4. Pierre-Louis Loubet (FRA) - 33 points
5. Mads Ostberg (NOR) - 29 points
6. Shadi Shaban (JOR) - 28 points
7. Abdullah Al Rawahi (OMN) - 25 points
8. Husam Salim (JOR) - 24 points
9. Denis Krotov (KGZ) - 22 points
10. Bader Al Fayez (JOR) - 19 points