Last week, the FIA announced future guidelines for the series. Hybrid units will be removed from Rally1 cars, and their technology will be further simplified. At the same time, a so-called WRC kit will be available for Rally2 cars, allowing them to compete for better overall positions.
Read more: Farewell to hybrids! Major changes in the World Rally Championship
Citroen withdrew from the WRC’s premier class after the 2019 season. The French manufacturer has been missed at the pinnacle of the sport, but so far, it has been content with competing in the WRC2 class.
Didier Clement, Customer Racing Manager at Stellantis, the group behind Citroen, does not yet make any promises about the French manufacturer’s future plans.
“Reacting immediately doesn’t serve much purpose since it’s only a press release, not a regulation. Everyone at the FIA understands that actions are needed to change this situation. There have been discussions for a long time now, with regular exchanges involving all the manufacturers,” Clement told the French Rallye Sport website.
The upcoming technical regulations are set to be finalized in the summer. The current proposals could still change, as discussions between the FIA and manufacturers will continue in the coming months.
Clement described the proposed changes as interesting, but did not elaborate further.
“It’s essential to realize that finalizing a regulation takes a long time. It’s a process that must be established over several months because it’s incredibly complex. People don’t realize how long it can be. You have to, for instance, get details down to the millimetre. So, it’s difficult for me to officially react at this stage,” Clement said.
French driver Yohan Rossel represents Citroen’s colours in this season’s WRC2 class. Rossel claimed victory in the season-opening Rally Monte-Carlo.
Rossel will next compete in April.
“Yohan is certain to race in Croatia, Portugal, and Sardinia, of course. Depending on the calendar and his competitors’ results, we will adjust the program,” Clement stated.
Read also: Is Citroen making a comeback to the WRC’s top class? ”We’re all keeping our fingers crossed”
