In February, the FIA unveiled a significant reform package aimed at reducing costs and enhancing competition within the World Rally Championship.
Among the changes, the service park set-ups will follow a new model, and hybrid units will be discarded. With these cost reductions, the FIA hopes to attract more car manufacturers to the championship.
“Indeed, I believe this is the right direction, and good elements have been incorporated,” said Roope Korhonen, a competitor in the WRC2 class, speaking to RallyJournal.com.
“Of course, there are still many questions about how these changes will be implemented in practice,” Korhonen added.
The FIA aims to narrow the gap between Rally1 and Rally2 cars. An upcoming WRC kit for the Rally2 cars is expected to boost its power.
“The goal has been to reduce the gap between the main class and Rally2 cars. It’s one of the most crucial aspects. The leap to the top class has been too substantial for young drivers who have had their first taste of it,” Korhonen observed.
“Advancing to that level hasn’t been easy. It has required a bit too many miles,” he continued.
Korhonen also views the WRC kit for Rally2 cars as a positive innovation.
“It adds an exciting new flavor. Of course, it remains to be seen how competitive those cars will be in that class. Nonetheless, it will bring more cars to the top class. From that perspective alone, it’s a very positive development. It would be great if those cars could genuinely compete for top positions,” Korhonen stated.
The next rally on the horizon
Korhonen concluded the winter season of the Finnish Rally Championship in Tuuri with a commanding victory. His next participation in the World Rally Championship is already planned.
“The next WRC event for me will be in Portugal. Plans beyond that are still somewhat open. However, I can certainly say that we’ll be competing in Finland this summer,” Korhonen confirmed.
