2024 FIA World Rally Championship / Round 01 / Rallye Monte Carlo / January 24-28, 2024 // Worldwide Rally1 is about to undergo a major transformation. The main Rally1 category of the World Rally Championship will no longer include hybrid technology starting from the end of this season. This decision is part of a series of proposed technical regulatory changes discussed during the recent meeting of the World Motor Sport Council. Hybrid technology significantly increases the cost of Rally1 cars, which are already sold for about €1 million each. By eliminating this expensive technology, the current Rally1 cars will become obsolete by the end of the season.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who established the Working Group in December, expressed his support for the recommendations made by the WRC Working Group. Members of the World Motor Sport Council also showed unanimous support for the established goals. The Working Group aims to make the WRC more sustainable and attractive to new manufacturers. They plan to achieve this by reformulating the sporting and technical regulations, as well as finding ways to improve promotion and return on investment for manufacturers involved in this exciting sport.
The WRC Commission will be responsible for drafting new regulations, which will be presented for approval at the June meeting of the World Motor Sport Council. Initially, there were suggestions to completely eliminate Rally1 cars and replace them with a more economical Rally2+ class. However, these ideas were discarded in favor of reformulating the technical specifications of Rally1. In addition to removing the expensive hybrid system, other proposals include the use of a smaller turbo restrictor to reduce power and impose limits on aerodynamics.
To bridge the gap between the two main categories of rally cars, the introduction of a new category called WRC2+ has been proposed. A “WRC kit” is also recommended, which will include a larger restrictor, a larger exhaust, additional aerodynamics, and paddle shift gear change. This kit should be available from the 2025 season. Looking to the future of 2026, there will be a cost limit of €400,000 and a further reduction in power. Furthermore, a common safety cell has been suggested, allowing manufacturers to showcase their preferred body styles on the global stage.
Considering the increasing focus on electrification in the world of motorsport, appropriate rules will be established to accommodate electric vehicles in a specific class. The proposed sporting changes offer more flexibility for individual events to determine their itineraries. Although events have the freedom to decide when their rallies start, it will still be necessary to conclude with the Sunday afternoon Power Stage. The total rally mileage will remain relatively unchanged, regardless of whether the event adopts an endurance or sprint format.
To reduce operational costs, manufacturers will face limitations on the number of personnel allowed in a three-car team. Additionally, the use of locally sourced structures as team bases has been recommended, further reducing operational expenses. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem concluded by emphasizing the importance of reaching a point where the WRC Commission can finalize proposals that will shape the future of the championship. He also highlighted the importance of considering the results of the WRC Fan Engagement Survey during the drafting process. The goal is to create a WRC relevant to the present and well-prepared for the future, benefiting the championship, its stakeholders, and the rallying community as a whole.
© 2024
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