On the eve of a meeting which will shape the future of the World Rally Championship, the series promoter has called on the FIA to deliver a strategic and considered approach – with the hope of retaining the current specification Rally1 category cars through 2025.
The FIA established a WRC working group – headed by deputy president Robert Reid and David Richards – in December. One of the primary tasks for that group was to consider technical regulations for 2025 and beyond.
A decision is expected from Wednesday’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.
The options DirtFish understands are available for 2025 are to retain the current Rally1 cars with hybrid. Or, in a solution which has been given a working title of Rally1 minus, the current cars could be stripped of hybrid and run with the same power levels as the last generation of World Rally Cars (2017-2021) of around 380bhp.
Rally1 or Rally2? One of these cars will form the basis of the WRC's future technical regulations, to be decided on Wednesday
Another alternative is Rally2 plus, which would add marginally more aero and power to the current Rally2 machinery.
WRC Promoter senior director for sport Peter Thul told DirtFish he’s keen to keep an eye on the longer-term view.
“It concerns me if we make a change for next season,” said Thul, “to me, that could look like short-termism. We have a five-year homologation cycle and we’re in year three right now. I think we should keep what we have for 2025 and if change has to come then let’s look at 2026.
“We believe the World Rally Championship needs to have a pinnacle car. Right now, we have that. What we’re looking for [from WMSC] is a strategic decision that’s not knee-jerk.
Rally2 with more power and aero has been put forward as a possible top-line WRC category alternative from as early as next season
“We’re at the end of February now, if we get a decision to change for 2025 on Wednesday, it’s going to be another few weeks or potentially into April before we see firm regulations for the teams to work on. And to have that car ready for Monte Carlo in January next month is a big ask – and, don’t forget, we’re going to be testing a new tire (as Hankook replaces Pirelli as the WRC’s single tire supplier for 2025) for Monte.
“It’s a lot to get through and I’m not seeing the upside, when we can keep the spectacular cars we have already with us. From what we’re hearing, this is very much the preference of the manufacturers.”
