WRC's future under debate ahead of crucial FIA meeting

The FIA is about to decide the future of the World Rally Championship at its upcoming meeting of the World Motor Sport Council. This week will be crucial as a concept will be presented that will define the direction of the WRC, focusing especially on its main category.

The hybrid Rally1, which debuted in 2022, has been under scrutiny for its difficulty in attracting manufacturers and the decreasing number of entries. This situation prompted the FIA to form a task force last December, led by personalities like Robert Reid and David Richards, with the aim of "assessing and recommending the future direction of rallying."

This group's agenda focuses on the future of the Rally1 class, from next year until the end of the homologation cycle in 2032. Several options are being considered, including continuing with Rally1, transitioning to Rally2, and creating a Rally2 Plus formula. It has even been suggested that there could be changes for 2025, although this seems unlikely.

In addition, the FIA has consulted fans about the future of the WRC through a survey, the results of which will influence the decision-making process. Although the final regulations for the short term and from 2027 onwards will not be presented until June, the release of this concept will provide a clear picture of the future.

The WRC Promoter, although not part of the task force, has made its own proposals, seeking a clear and appealing set of regulations. "We need regulations that allow current competitors to continue and attract new competitors," explained Peter Thul, WRC's senior sports director.

Current WRC teams have divided opinions, especially regarding reducing the costs of Rally1 cars, which hover around one million euros. Toyota is open about the short-term future, while Hyundai urges the FIA to be cautious before making radical and immediate changes.

Meanwhile, Malcolm Wilson, founder of M-Sport, brings valuable insight to the discussion. While his team is open to hearing FIA proposals for the future, Wilson emphasizes the need for an iconic car to lead the main category. He explained that although they committed to a five-year agreement on the current regulations, any significant changes might be unlikely before 2027. However, they are willing to consider any potential improvements for the future.

The future of the WRC is at a turning point, with several proposals on the table. The FIA's decision will not only affect current teams and manufacturers but could also open the door to new participants and possibly change the landscape of the world rally as we know it.