The future of the World Rally Championship is at a regulatory crossroads. For 2025, the International Automobile Federation proposes significant technical changes. However, leading teams such as Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport are requesting to maintain the current Rally1 rules until the end of 2026.
As reported, these teams have joined forces, sending a letter to the FIA to argue in favor of the existing regulations. This move comes after the FIA's task force revealed in February plans to alter both the technical and sporting regulations of elite rally racing.
The proposed technical changes have generated a mixed response. While there is unanimous support for adjustments in the sporting aspect, the idea of modifying the technical rules has met resistance. Teams are particularly opposed to the elimination of hybrid power in Rally1 cars, along with reductions in aerodynamics and air restrictors, seeking to make them more in line with Rally2 cars.
The central concern lies in the limited time for adaptation. Teams would have just six months to design, test, and validate cars adjusted to the new regulations, a considerable logistical challenge.
Cyril Abiteboul from Hyundai has been particularly outspoken. He has pointed out the difficulties of meeting this schedule and the economic losses due to discarding investments in improvements under the current regulations.
On the other hand, Jari-Matti Latvala from Toyota has recognized the need to find a middle ground with the FIA, considering some aspects of the federation's proposed vision as excessive.
Meanwhile, Richard Millener from M-Sport-Ford has expressed his concern about the timeline for implementing the technical changes, highlighting the complexity of the process within a tight timeframe.
While the FIA seeks to evolve the WRC, the teams are calling for caution, emphasizing the practical and economic implications of abrupt changes in regulations. The final decision, which will fall to the World Motor Sport Council in June, will set an important course for the future of rallying.
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