The world motorsport governing body has shared its key objectives for the future of the WRC which was presented at today’s World Motor Sport Council.
These objectives have been put together following an extensive analysis of the WRC current form carried out by the FIA’s working group that was created in December last year to “evaluate and recommend the future direction of rallying” triggered by a decrease in top level entries.
A recently-launched FIA fan survey, which received more than 11,000 responses, also contributed data to assist in the decision making process.
The FIA has confirmed a number of proposals for the future of the WRC, including a move to abandon hybrid power and the introduction of new set of Rally1 regulations from 2026.
The future of the Rally1 hybrid class was at the centre of the debate, with suggestions the championship could abandon Rally1 and move to Rally2 or a new ‘Rally2 Plus’.
The FIA has announced that the Rally1 car will continue to form the base of the top tier but will run without a control hybrid unit and a reduction in aerodynamic and turbo restrictor to reduce costs.
Cost has been a critical element of the current Rally1 hybrid cars that were introduced in 2022, with the FIA, teams and competitors stating the near one million euro price tag as too expensive.
Regulations passed for this year have allowed Rally1 cars to run without with hybrid if ballast is put in its place, however entries are ineligible to score championship points.
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Photo by: M-Sport
The new sporting and technical regulations form 2025 onwards will be published in June this year.
“The current Rally1 car will continue as the WRC’s flagship vehicle in both 2025 and 2026 but with modifications to reduce cost and performance,” read the statement from the FIA.
“These include the removal of the plug-in hybrid unit, with the performance compensated by a reduction in overall weight, and a reduction in the air restrictor and aerodynamics.
Rally2 cars will continue in their current form for the duration of their homologation as the basis for national and international series.
However, Rally2 cars competing on WRC events from 2025 and beyond will have an option to run with a WRC kit consisting of a larger restrictor, a larger exhaust, an optional paddle shift gearbox and a rear wing with the objective of reducing the performance…
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