It’s not too late to attract new marques to WRC in 2027

The FIA is confident it is not too late to attract new manufacturers to the World Rally Championship in 2027 amid plans to announce new technical regulations in December.

The world motorsport governing body has been working for more than 18 months to devise the future direction of the Rally1 and Rally2 WRC classes in a bid to safeguard the involvement of current marques and attract new brands to the discipline.

The championship’s future technical rules are on course to be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council in December, when it is hoped the pathway will be ratified and communicated. 

WRC teams have however raised concerns regarding the timeframe for the release of the rules, urging for a decision to come sooner, given 18 months is regarded as the minimum ballpark figure for a brand to commit to a programme and develop a new car.

There are also worries that Hyundai could leave the WRC as a manufacturer team at the end of 2025 following the Korean brand’s recent announcement of its plans to join the World Endurance Championship under its Genesis brand. Should Hyundai leave the WRC, the championship could face a future with Toyota as the only fully works Rally1 operation with Ford a semi-works outfit via M-Sport. 

Speaking to Motorsport.com the FIA technical director Xavier Mestelan Pinon reiterated that the regulations are on schedule to be delivered in December and that the FIA has been involved in meticulous discussions to ensure it makes the best decision for the WRC.

Mestelan Pinon admitted that the process to ratify the 2027 regulations is not ahead of schedule, but equally not “too late” in its arrival to attract new brands.

“Time is running but again today, okay we are not in advance, but we are not too late also. For me, there is much pressure to deliver a good regulation and something that will make sense for the future of the World Rally Championship,” said Mestelan Pinon.

“If you release something in a rush it could be not good in the end. We have already discussed this topic for one and half years I would say, but now we must take a good one [decision]. 

“We are not too late and the most important thing for me is to attract newcomers even if the newcomer will take the decision for 2028 instead 2027, I don’t care. What is important is to give the right direction and right vision.”

When asked if it was critical the FIA make the right decision…