The FIA has announced that modified and cost-effective versions of the current Rally1 machines without hybrid power will form the World Rally Championship’s top class from next year.
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’.
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 gap between Rally1 and Rally2 cars.
The cost per car will be capped at €400,000 and WRC manufacturers will be required to make their cars available for sale directly from the finish parc fermé of a WRC event.
The power output will be targeted at 330hp, with the engine performance controlled by a reference torque curve for all cars.
