A working group established by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) unveiled its reform proposals for the championship at the end of February. Current Rally1 cars will lose their hybrid units, with speed further curtailed by a smaller air restrictor and the trimming of aerodynamic components.
At the same time, a so-called WRC kit will be made available for Rally2 cars, boosting their power to around 300 horsepower, closer to next season’s Rally1 cars. Rally2 cars’ aerodynamics could also be enhanced, and paddle shifters made available.
The aim is to allow the top class cars to be challenged by an upgrade package that won’t bankrupt private drivers.
Toyota’s team principal, Jari-Matti Latvala, doesn’t entirely endorse these guidelines.
“For the private teams, it could be a great idea. But, for the manufacturer who wants to build the car to win the World Rally Championship, do they want to see the car run out of the garage beating your product in which you’ve invested a lot of money? It raises questions,” Latvala told Dirtfish.
“I know we are struggling with not so many cars in the main class and giving the opportunity to fine-tune the Rally2 car… I can see the positive – we have more cars, potentially, in the main class. But slowing down the Rally1 and boosting the Rally2? We need to find the balance.”
Latvala is particularly concerned that Rally1 cars would still have gear sticks, whereas updated Rally2 cars could feature paddle shifters.
“I don’t think that’s right for those cars to have more technology than Rally1. The technology needs to be consistent – and anyway, bringing the paddle shift (for Rally2) is going to increase the cost in a category designed for privateers,” Latvala remarked.
The World Motor Sport Council will decide in June on how the proposed guidelines will be implemented in the World Rally Championship for the 2025 season.
