The rally website DirtFish reports that the current Rally1 cars will continue to be used in the WRC until the end of the 2026 season.
While this has not yet been officially announced, DirtFish claims to have seen related documents. The proposal has already been prepared, but it still needs to be approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council at its meeting on 11 June.
This means that the technical regulations for Rally1 cars will remain unchanged for at least another two years. However, there will be sporting changes aimed at getting more cars from the current manufacturers on the starting line.
For example, the points system will be changed so that the points scored by the manufacturer’s two or three best cars will be taken into account. Currently, teams can nominate three drivers to score points, with the points from the top two drivers counting towards the team’s score at the end of the event.
The change is expected to encourage manufacturers to field more cars in competitions.
The original plan was to abandon the current hybrid units in Rally1 cars by next season and to implement major aerodynamic changes. However, the proposal met with significant opposition. Manufacturers did not like the idea at all, and drivers also voiced their criticism. The transition period was also seen as far too short.
“Ultimately, the decision is the sensible one. I think the FIA can see that significant change is not sensible six or seven months out (from the start of a new season),” an anonymous source told DirtFish.
“The (WRC) Working Group was tasked with exploring change for the medium and long-term in the WRC. In fairness to the FIA, to Robert (Reid) and to David Richards, that was done. Avenues were explored – the teams said they wanted action and action was put on the table. The teams don’t want that change and it’s sensible all around to be respectful of that,” the source continued.
According to the source, the change to the points system was also expected and a wise move.
“The change in points structure makes sense, it’s an easy way to encourage more (Rally1) cars into the service park.”
According to DirtFish, the focus has now shifted more towards developing the technical regulations for 2027. This has also been the wish of manufacturers and drivers.
Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport have all agreed that they want the current classification to continue and have made their position very clear to the FIA.
