The World Rally Championship has confirmed that Rally1 vehicles will stop using hybrid technology starting in 2025, following months of negotiations between the FIA, the promoter, teams, and suppliers. This measure, ratified through an electronic vote by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, aims to reduce costs and simplify vehicle maintenance. From 2025, Rally1 cars will be powered exclusively by internal combustion engines, while maintaining a commitment to the use of 100% sustainable fuel.
The removal of hybrid technology, introduced in 2022, comes in response to rising operational costs. Compact Dynamics, the supplier of hybrid units, implemented new safety regulations that increased maintenance costs. The units must be dismantled and sent back to the factory for inspection following certain impacts.
Cost Reduction and Technological Simplification
The change aims to facilitate the entry and retention of teams and drivers in the rally's top tier. To maintain a performance level similar to that of 2024, the minimum weight of Rally1 cars will be reduced from 1260 kg to 1180 kg, and the air restrictor size will decrease from 36 mm to 35 mm. The experience of driver Mārtiņš Sesks at the Rally of Poland, competing with a non-hybrid Ford Puma, validated the cars' ability to compete without electric assistance.
The regulatory adjustment will also enable a smoother transition for drivers coming from the Rally2 category and reduce operational costs for teams. The FIA seeks to ensure that the WRC remains accessible, competitive, and aligned with sustainability goals, while preparing for the 2027 technical regulations.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, reaffirmed the importance of preserving the rally's essence while adapting to the current energy market. Meanwhile, Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, the FIA's Technical and Safety Director, stated that these decisions will enable the WRC to evolve in a competitive and sustainable manner.
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