Hybrid will be abandoned from the World Rally Championship’s premier Rally1 category from the end of this season as part of a range of proposed technical regulation changes following the World Motor Sport Council’s meeting this week.
The hybrid technology adds significant costs to a Rally1 car which cost around €1m each; dumping the expensive technology makes the current crop of Rally1 cars museum pieces at the end of this season.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who established the Working Group in December, said: “The WMSC members carefully considered the recommendations of the WRC Working Group and were united in their support of the series of objectives that have been established.”
In order to make the WRC more sustainable and attractive to new manufacturers, the Working Group is looking to revamp both the sporting and technical regulations as well as ways to increase the promotion and return on investment for manufacturers involved in the spectacular sport.
New regulations will be drafted by the WRC Commission and presented at the June meeting of the World Motor Sport Council for approval.
Some earlier suggestions to kill off the Rally1 cars altogether and replace it with a more cost-effective Rally2+ class were canned in favour of overhauling the Rally1 technical specs. Besides dropping the uber-expensive hybrid system, other proposals include using a smaller turbo restrictor to reduce power and limit aero.
The WRC2+ suggestion has been suggested as a new category with the aim of reducing the gap between the top two tiers of rally cars.
A ‘WRC kit’, which includes a bigger restrictor, a bigger exhaust, added aerodynamics and a paddle shift has been recommended in time for the start of the 2025 season.
Looking ahead to 2026, a cost cap comes into play, dropping the bill to €400,000 while a further power reduction is envisaged. A common safety cell has been proposed so manufacturers can add whatever body style they choose to promote on the world stage.
With electrification top of mind in global motorsport, a class with appropriate rules will be established to accommodate EVs.
The sporting changes offer greater freedom to individual events in deciding their itineraries. While events will be allowed to decide when their rallies start, they still have to finish with the Sunday afternoon Power Stage.
Overall mileage will remain largely the same, whether the event organiser opts for an endurance or sprint format.
To reduce operational costs, manufacturers will be limited in the number of personnel allowed to work in a three-car team while locally sourced structures that are used for the teams’ base have been recommended, further reducing operational costs.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem concluded: “To be at the point where the WRC Commission can now work on finalising proposals that will go a long way towards cementing the WRC’s future course, once approved by the WMSC, is a significant moment for the championship, its stakeholders and the rallying community in general. It’s also important to note that the results of the WRC Fan Engagement Survey will be carefully considered by the WRC Commission during the process of drafting the final proposals. I thank all those who took part as we continue the process of delivering a WRC that’s relevant for the present and fit for the future.”
