A Rally2-based alternative top tier, that has been dubbed as Rally2 Plus, is understood to be among a number of options on the table being discussed by the FIA’s new working group.
Headed by FIA Deputy President Robert Reid, the 2001 World Rally Championship title-winning co-driver, and the 1981 WRC co-driver champion David Richards, the group was devised late last year to evaluate and recommend the future direction of rallying.
A meeting was held with the current WRC teams Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford in London last month to discuss the future direction of the WRC’s premier class.
The current Rally1 hybrid regulations are in only the third year of a homologation cycle that usually covers a five-year period. The FIA highlighted last year that it expected an evolved form of Rally1 would continue until a more significant overhaul of regulations tipped for the 2027 season.
However, there appears to be momentum for a swift change in regulations. A report from Italy has even stated that Rally1 could be dropped by as early as 2025. Motorsport.com understands this is unlikely but cannot be completely ruled out.
How has the WRC reached this point?
The introduction of Rally1 hybrid rules marked a fresh start for the WRC in 2022. The ruleset signified a move towards a more sustainable future with all-new cars designed from the ground up running control 100kW hybrid units and powered by 100% sustainable fuel.
Rally1 cars have ticked several boxes. The vehicles are much safer than their 2017-spec predecessors, courtesy of a new tougher space frame chassis, and are a step faster thanks to the hybrid power that develops 500 horsepower in short bursts. The new chassis has proven to be versatile allowing manufacturers to use varying classes of road cars.
For example, M-Sport has opted to use an SUV crossover as its platform, utilising the Ford Puma, while Hyundai and Toyota have selected a traditional hatchback in the i20 N and GR Yaris. The Rally1 cars also look and sound spectacular, but ultimately the regulations – devised to attract a new manufacturer – have so far failed. It has, however, kept the current manufacturers at least interested.
But in the eyes of many its biggest flaw is the cost, which the FIA has admitted is far too expensive, with Rally1 cars priced not far shy of the €1m euro mark, when a Rally2 car can be purchased for approximately €200,000-300,000. The cost is among the key factors as to why there are…
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