Earlier this season, the FIA made a much-anticipated decision to continue with the current Rally1 car specifications until the end of the homologation period.
The FIA decided not to abandon hybrid units before 2026. This marked a complete U-turn, as there had been plans for radical changes to the WRC.
The next step is to establish new regulations for the WRC, which would come into effect after the 2026 season. This is a major decision, and the FIA hopes the new regulations will attract new manufacturers to the sport.
Toyota’s team principal, Jari-Matti Latvala, believes that while it will take some time to prepare the new rules, they will be finalised by the end of this year.
“The new rules must come. At the moment, the information is that the World Motor Sport Council will make a decision on the new rules in December, but manufacturers must know them before that,” Latvala commented.
“We certainly won’t have them before Rally Finland, but by early autumn, proposals should start coming through,” Latvala predicted.
One of the central problems in the WRC is that the current Rally1 cars are far too expensive. A change is hoped for when the new rules are drafted.
“Fortunately, the FIA has understood that the prices of Rally1 cars are now far too high. They need to come down, and I understand that the FIA plans to reduce the cost and speed of Rally1 cars,” Latvala revealed.
According to Latvala, the WRC is set to take a step back regarding both the cost and the speed of the cars.
“I understand that the FIA is aiming for a speed level that WRC cars had between 2011 and 2016,” Latvala stated.
