Elfyn Evans already tested the WRC 2025 prototype

Elfyn Evans, Welsh driver for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, had his first contact with the WRC Rally1 2025 prototype, designed under the new technical rules proposed by the FIA for the World Rally Championship. However, his experience was less interesting than expected.

During his test at the Croatia Rally, Evans tried a modified Toyota GR Yaris. The vehicle featured revised aerodynamics focused on the rear wing, which aligns with the FIA's proposals for 2025. Toyota is the only team that has attempted to build and test a prototype for 2025 so far.

The FIA plans to reduce the performance of Rally1 cars, removing hybrid power and reducing aerodynamics and the air restrictor, aiming to make the cars more comparable to Rally2 vehicles. This measure, combined with an upgrade kit for Rally2 cars, seeks to increase the participation of competitors next season.

Both WRC teams and drivers have expressed their disagreement with the new regulations and have requested that the current rules remain in place until the end of 2026. Evans was direct in his opinion about the car, describing the experience as "expected" and "not so interesting". When asked if this is the right direction for the WRC, he responded clearly.

The FIA is working on a compromise with the teams regarding the technical regulations for 2025, which will be discussed at the next World Motor Sport Council meeting in June. During a press conference in Croatia, FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley provided more details about the proposed changes for 2025.

Wheatley explained that the three-year contract for the hybrid component was made with supplier Compact Dynamics, and that the Rally1 concept will not change. The current discussion focuses on modifying the rear wing, removing one of the planes but keeping the top one.