FIA Confirms World Rally Championship Rules 2025-2026

At the second meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in 2024, President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, along with Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid and WMSC members, gathered both in person at the 2024 FIA Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and via video conference.

Ben Sulayem announced a new strategy for karting, which will be launched later this year. He emphasized the importance of karting as the starting point for many world champions and reaffirmed his commitment to its continuous growth. He also presented the FIA's year-end financial report, noting that for only the second time in history, it was concluded in April. Thanks to a strong commercial strategy and streamlined accounting process, the deficit has been reduced, aiming for a global, stable, member-led federation.

Technical Stability in the WRC

The World Motor Sport Council agreed to maintain technical stability for the 2025 and 2026 seasons of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). After extensive discussions and feedback, it was decided that the technical regulations for Rally1 and Rally2 cars will not change for the next two years. Manufacturers and council members have shown positive consensus towards these regulations, which will be presented for approval at the December meeting, giving more than two years of lead time for manufacturers to adapt.

The FIA will strengthen its team in the commercial and communications departments to support the WRC Promoter and key stakeholders, focusing on managing sporting regulations and increasing media activation opportunities, as well as reducing costs for competitors. The final versions of these sporting regulations will be proposed at the October WMSC session.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem commented on the importance of the WRC for the FIA and the need for technical stability in the coming years, expecting a similar positive commitment from manufacturers. The WRC Promoter's Managing Director, Jona Siebel, and several other stakeholders, including Jari-Matti Latvala of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and Cyril Abiteboul of Hyundai Motorsport, supported this decision and expressed their commitment to continued collaboration to ensure the best possible competition.

The World Council also approved additional promotional measures, allowing two designated team members from each registered manufacturer to be present near the cars on road sections for social media content creation and filming, as well as accommodating additional positions for onboard camera lenses.

Continuity in the Junior WRC

For the Junior WRC Championship, the extension of the exclusive car supply contract (M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 EVO) for the 2025 season was approved, ensuring continuity and stability.