Unlike ordinary special stages, which are timed to a tenth of a second, the Power Stage is timed to a thousandth of a second. This precision ensures that ties for bonus points are extremely rare, and it underlines the explicit focus on outright speed through a single defined stage.
The stage itself is identical in format to any other special stage in the event. What distinguishes it is solely the additional championship-points allocation attached to the fastest five crews through it.
The concept of awarding bonus points on a single nominated stage has existed in different forms across WRC history.
A forerunner appeared at the 1999 Tour de Corse and 1999 Rally Finland, where it was branded the "TV stage." That version allowed drivers who had already retired from the overall rally to participate, giving it a showcase element beyond the championship standings.
The Power Stage as a formal, points-bearing element was re-introduced in 2011. Initially, bonus points were awarded to the top three fastest crews: three points for first, two for second, one for third.
In 2017, the system was expanded. The five fastest crews through the stage became eligible for points, awarded on a descending scale from five points for first place down to one point for fifth. This five-to-one structure became the enduring format for the WRC Power Stage.
From 2021, WRC2 and WRC3 support category competitors were also made eligible to score Power Stage points. In 2022, WRC2 Power Stage points were awarded to the top three crews in that class: three for first, two for second, one for third. However, WRC2 Power Stage points were axed from 2024 onwards, and Power Stage points are no longer awarded in WRC3.
Power Stages were introduced into the European Rally Championship in 2022. The format mirrors the WRC approach: the final stage of each ERC round is designated the Power Stage, and the five fastest crews in the ERC classification receive bonus points.
Because Power Stage points are awarded independently of overall rally finishing position, the stage introduces a separate layer of competition. A driver who has already secured the rally win may still need to chase the Power Stage hard to defend a championship lead, while a driver with a disappointing overall result can partially recover points through a strong Power Stage run. This dynamic means the Power Stage frequently produces the most intense on-stage driving of the entire rally weekend, often involving direct head-to-head battles between the leading championship contenders regardless of their road positions.
The thousandth-of-a-second timing also creates memorable moments when margins between the fastest crews are extremely tight, adding tension that persists until all competitors have completed the stage.