Earlier this week, it was revealed that hybrid units will be removed from Rally1 cars after this season. This means the top class is expected to compete without the added hybrid boost next year, although official confirmation from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) is still needed.
The driving factor behind this change is the significant rise in repair costs for the hybrid units. M-Sport, one of the WRC teams, has openly stated that it is unwilling to bear the extra cost for hybrid power.
Read more: Source: Major hybrid decision made – significant change coming to the WRC next season
Among the stars of the WRC, Sebastien Ogier has expressed his puzzlement over why such a decision is even being considered. He also questioned why changes are being made at the last moment before the new season.
“I don’t really understand this change, especially as, you know, there have been a lot of developments made in this direction. And now that means we’ll need to throw that all away. So, it’s a strange last-minute change,” Ogier commented a few weeks ago at the Central European Rally.
WRC leader Thierry Neuville agrees with Ogier, though for slightly different reasons.
Neuville would have preferred Rally1 cars to be equipped with hybrid units for the next two seasons as well.
“I enjoy driving with the hybrid because obviously more power, more fun. So that’s for sure,” Neuville said, according to Dirtfish during the Central European Rally weekend.
“However, I understood that there are some troubles for several teams on the hybrid units available and so on. So I don’t know if it’s the solution to drop them. But yeah, it’s not up to us to decide.”
The Hyundai star has appreciated that hybrid units have brought more technology to Rally1 cars.
“Already the cars are very basic now. So if we remove the hybrid, they are pretty much very simple,” Neuville explained.
Hybrid units will be used for the last time in a couple of weeks at the Rally Japan, which will conclude the 2024 season.
