Following the guidelines set by the WRC working group, hybrid units will be removed from Rally1 cars at the end of this season. Additionally, aerodynamic features will be reduced, and the turbo restrictor will be downsized. Therefore, the technology of the top class cars will be brought closer to that of the Rally2 cars.
Yohan Rossel, who has competed for years in a Citroen Rally2 car, is pleased with these decisions.
“I’ve looked into the various measurements a bit, and they don’t seem so bad to me. However, it’s more for the brands to decide whether it’s heading in the right direction or not,” Rossel comments on the French Rallye Sport website.
“It was clear that changes were necessary, and they’ve recognized the urgency. I commend them for making such decisions; there are indeed very experienced individuals who have been working on this for several weeks. I trust them, and now we’re all keeping our fingers crossed.”
Under the new rules, a WRC kit will be available for Rally2 cars in the future, including a larger restrictor, a larger exhaust system, a rear wing, and paddle shifts. Thus, current Rally2 cars could be upgraded to compete against the future premier class cars.
This decision could potentially increase competition in the top class if, for example, Citroen, represented by Rossel, and possibly Skoda too, upgraded their Rally2 cars.
“As a young driver who aspires to join the premier category, I didn’t really see any solutions to get there. It was a bit blocked, there was perhaps a possible place in Rally1, and even then, perhaps only on a partial program. For Rally1 drivers, it will probably be a little less fun to drive. However, if we can increase the number of drivers competing for wins from four to ten, for example, that would be fantastic,” Rossel summarises.
“Now everyone’s ideas are a little clearer. It remains to be seen if the manufacturers will take action now, I don’t know. The regulations have just been released, and it’s too early to discuss them with, say, Citroen. I’m not sure if they’ll be interested.”
The changes devised by the WRC working group will be finalized in June, so some alterations may still occur. However, the hope remains that, by any means necessary, the premier class of the championship can be revitalized.
“In terms of performance, I still have the impression that a ‘Rally2+’ will be able to compete with the Rally1 from 2026. If we can enhance the aerodynamics and increase the power on the Rally2 cars, and considering the reductions on the Rally1, the vehicles will be on par,” Rossel explains.
“However, the only thing that truly matters to me is increasing competition. I am convinced that the frontrunners in WRC2 have the potential to make a mark in Rally1.”
