The current Rally1 hybrid cars have been competing in the WRC since the 2022 season. The goal of the hybrid reform was to attract new car manufacturers to the championship, but no new entrants have emerged. The top-tier battles in the WRC continue to be fought between Hyundai, Toyota, and M-Sport Ford.
At the start of this year, a working group under the International Automobile Federation (FIA) considered ways to bring more competition and new car brands into the series. The group ultimately put forward its suggestions on how the rules could be changed as early as next year. The most significant proposal was to remove hybrid units from Rally1 cars.
However, the proposal was not approved. After much deliberation, the FIA decided that the current cars would be used until the end of 2026.
The plan is to finalise the regulations for 2027 by the end of this year. This aims to ensure that teams – including any potential new manufacturers – have enough time to develop the next generation of rally cars for the WRC’s special stages.
Currently, the plan is to give manufacturers more flexibility regarding powertrain options, meaning that hybrid units will not be mandatory.
“The automotive industry hasn’t really worked out where it’s going, and we feel the best option is to have something where a manufacturer can come along and have the freedom to adopt what they want. So, for me, that’s very positive,” FIA’s Deputy President for Sport, Robert Reid, told Dirtfish.
“I think we’ve got some interesting things for 2027.”
Reid admitted that the WRC is not aiming to attract new teams in the next two years. The focus is now on 2027.
“All the focus has to be on getting the regulations right for ’27, and we’re on track to do that, focusing on that as the future.”
Looking back, it’s worth questioning whether the Rally1 hybrid cars were a misstep. The WRC is still struggling with the same issues it faced before the introduction of the current generation of rally cars.
According to Reid, it’s a difficult question.
“I think Rally1 is massively impressive. It’s arguably technologically complex. It requires a big commitment from a manufacturer. I think, because we haven’t increased the number of manufacturers, you could probably say, yes, it hasn’t necessarily worked.”
“From a competitiveness standpoint in the championship, I think it’s been very good. You’ve got three manufacturers able to win with three different styles of car. From that perspective, it’s been good, and I think it gives us a good platform and confidence to move forward with tweaking it for the ’27 car,” Reid commented.
