New Rules for Hybrid Units in WRC

Starting from the Acropolis Rally, the World Rally Championship has begun to implement new rules for the hybrid units used in Rally1 cars. These hybrid units are essential components in the cars, as they combine the traditional engine with an electric one to improve performance and reduce emissions.

What changed?

Before, when a hybrid unit experienced strong impacts during a rally (for example, when a car crashed or a suspension broke), engineers could simply erase the errors and continue using the unit without much trouble. Now, if a unit suffers three strong impacts over 15G (a measure of force) or one very strong impact over 25G, the unit must be disassembled and sent to the manufacturer (Compact Dynamics) for a full inspection. This process is complicated, takes months, and costs money.

Why is this being done?

The main reason for these changes is safety. Some units have registered many strong impacts, and the International Automobile Federation wants to ensure they continue working correctly without putting drivers at risk. If a unit suffers too many impacts, it could be internally damaged, and it's important to inspect it thoroughly to avoid problems in future rallies.

What does this mean for the teams?

This could increase costs for the teams. If a unit has to be sent for repairs, it may take a long time to be ready again. If a team doesn't have enough spare units, they might need to purchase more, which is expensive. Additionally, teams will now have to manage the units they already have more carefully to avoid running out of them during rallies.