Significant changes are planned for the World Rally Championship next season. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) aims to reduce the costs of the championship.
The goal is good, but there can certainly be many opinions on the methods. The most controversial aspect has been the proposed abandonment of the current hybrid units next season.
Rovanperä is not impressed with the proposed changes to the WRC. He believes that abandoning the current cars would be a poor decision.
“There are some good aspects to the new ideas. However, changes at the car make no sense to me,” Rovanperä stated bluntly to RallyJournal.com.
The proposed FIA reforms involve reducing the power of the current top-class cars and cutting back on aerodynamics. The aim is for the top class and the WRC2 class to be closer together, with Rally2 cars potentially competing against Rally1 cars using the WRC kit.
“It’s a big hassle for two years, spending more money to try to merge two classes, which I believe will never be truly equal or connected,” Rovanperä commented.
Rovanperä understands the need for change but disagrees with the methods.
“Yes, I understand the desire for more cars in the main class on the start list, but that’s about it. You just see the numbers. There are more cars, but that’s all.”
Rovanperä would have approached it differently.
“They should focus on making new rules for 2027. Then, hopefully, we might see new teams coming in. Nobody will come if the rules are only known six months beforehand. Who will come then? No one,” Rovanperä asserted.
Rovanperä wishes for more stability, which would make it easier to attract new manufacturers to the WRC. The current confusing and uncertain situation deters newcomers right from the start.
“The problem so far is that there’s been no real plan for the future, so no new teams are coming. They could reduce costs, make the cars whatever they want, but do it after two years. I don’t really understand this transition phase,” Rovanperä emphasized.
The world champion plans to return to full-time rally driving next year after competing in only half of this season’s WRC. But could Rovanperä’s plans change if the cars are significantly detuned next year?
“It could change many things. You never know,” Rovanperä answered.
WRC teams have informed the FIA that they would like to continue with the current Rally1 cars until the end of the 2026 season. The FIA’s WRC commission will discuss the matter further this week.
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