FIA: NOS did not have enough guarantees

If North One Sport seemed likely to obtain funds from Qatar to get back afloat and continue to hold the commercial rights to the WRC, the FIA ​​confirmed that the contract with the promoter had been terminated just ten days before the opening of the season with the Rally Monte-Carlo following a lack of guarantees. The situation seems critical but the Federation insists that it will take all necessary measures so that the discipline can take place normally. Eurosport, which runs the WTCC and the IRC, is being considered to succeed NOS.

“It is with regret and disappointment that the FIA ​​was forced to terminate the contract with NOS, not having the guarantees for the Monte-Carlo Rally to be properly insured.”, commented the Federation. “NOS has blatantly breached the contractual obligations of the contract. Contrary to what has been said, no firm offer to take over a company was presented by NOS to the FIA ​​but only a few expressions of interest. We had at least seven but none came to fruition. The FIA ​​offered the time and support to find a suitable solution. It is, however, regrettable that NOS was not only unable to respect its contract, but also that it was not able to secure an essential investment to promote the Championship. This has placed the FIA ​​in an unprecedented situation just ten days before the Monte-Carlo Rally and it will now have to make urgent decisions to ensure the smooth running of the Championship. The FIA ​​is in discussions with several partners to guarantee the promotion and organization of the discipline, in particular with the calendar, television broadcasting, production and distribution, or even the sponsorship of financial partners. »