DirtFish understands the World Rally Championship’s immediate hybrid future has been confirmed following last-minute meetings between series stakeholders.
The WRC’s current agreement with hybrid supplier Compact Dynamics expires at the end of next season. That agreement is now reported to run until the end of 2026. Hopes of renewing it earlier in the year were dashed when Hyundai Motorsport reportedly outlined issues with contracts extending past the end of 2024.
DirtFish has sought comment from Hyundai on its position following Friday’s meeting.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with WRC stakeholders in Athens earlier this month and was frustrated by the lack of an agreement at that time. Ben Sulayem and FIA rally director Andrew Wheatley have been praised in pushing the deal through on Friday evening.
One source told DirtFish: “There were many meetings and a lot of talking until quite last minute on Friday, but [it] seems like we have a contract for 2025 and 2026.
“At least we know what we’re doing in 15 months. The situation wasn’t so nice before, but OK this is in the past now. We look to the future.
“FIA was strong for this, making some good decisions.”
Current Rally1 regulations will remain in place through the five-year homologation cycle, with all indications pointing towards a renewal for a second term at the start of 2027.
When asked about 2027, Ben Sulayem told DirtFish: “Do they (the manufacturers) want to go fully electric? I don’t see any of them are keen about that.”
The manufacturers are understood to be in favor of retaining hybrid rules into 2027.
