In a bold move, WRC teams Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport-Ford recently came together to voice their concerns about the FIA’s proposed changes to the Rally1 technical regulations. These teams collectively penned a letter to the world motorsport governing body, expressing their desire for the current regulations to remain in place until the end of 2026. While there is unanimous support for the proposed changes to the sporting side of the championship, the teams strongly oppose the FIA’s plans to alter the technical regulations for next year.
The FIA’s plan includes removing hybrid power from Rally1 cars, as well as reducing aerodynamics and air restrictors to cap performance. The goal is to align Rally1 cars more closely with their Rally2 counterparts, which will receive an upgrade kit to boost competition. However, one of the main concerns raised by the teams is the tight timeframe for these changes. With only a six-month window to design, test, and validate the revised cars, teams are feeling the pressure.
The WRC Commission recently held a two-day meeting in Geneva to discuss the future of the championship. Key topics included the concerns of Rally 1 teams regarding the proposed technical rule changes for next year. The FIA confirmed that positive steps have been taken, with ongoing work on the Sporting and Promotional aspects of the championship. Further meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks to address these issues.
While the details of the collaborative solutions remain unclear, the FIA is committed to safeguarding and strengthening the world’s premier rally category. The governing body is engaged in specific discussions with stakeholders, particularly regarding the shorter-term technical developments for 2025 and 2026. Despite the challenges and disagreements, there is a sense of confidence that collaborative solutions will be found to address the concerns raised by the manufacturer teams.
The battle over the WRC Rally1 technical regulations continues to unfold. As teams and the FIA navigate the complexities of balancing performance and competition, it remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved. The future of the championship hangs in the balance, with stakeholders working towards finding common ground for the betterment of the sport.
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