Rallying has had a rocky path over the last few years. Despite hybrid regulations for the top Rally1 class in the WRC, designed to attract new manufacturers to the sport, there are still only works entries from Toyota and Hyundai, with M-Sport flying the flag for Ford. Rally1 cars are thin on the ground, though the Rally2 class is in considerably ruder health.
Cost caps have recently been introduced to Formula 1 in 2021 and Formula E last season to prevent costs spiralling out of control to the detriment of the disciplines.
Currently WRC’s top Rally1 class operates without a cost cap, meaning manufacturers Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford are free to spend what they wish on rally programmes.
In May 2023, WRC Promoter believes costs have been drifting away from the original figure intended for the Rally1 hybrid cars that were introduced last year. It is understood that the cost of a Rally1 car is close to a million euros, while Rally2 cars are capped at approximately 200,000 euros.
Frankly I don’t see how will this be a success as so far of writing this, no new teams have been added to the F1 roster. For the WRC to achieve global success in the long term I believe we need to look into making the WRC2 class as a permanent structure.
FIA technical director Xavier Mestelan Pinon agrees that if technology costs can been reduced, it will prove beneficial for manufacturers looking to achieve a better return on the investment from competing in the WRC.
“That has worked really well in Rally2, as there is a technical cost cap and you can see the results.”
FIA technical director Xavier Mestelan Pinon on Motorsport.com
In incense it needs a reboot. WRC2 there are currently 5 manufactures with Toyota announcing that they will be joining the competition in 2024 with at least 15 different teams taking part in last years season.
That class is a lot more lucrative to compete in as its cheaper to sign up compared to its bigger brother and less demanding to compete in as to car parts, engine power etc.
Rally2 looks very much to be the future of the WRC. It has to be.
