At the end of last year, the FIA presented its first outlines for the WRC’s next set of top-tier technical regulations, which are scheduled to come into force in 2027. These include a cost cap of €345,000 per car, and the technical specifications will move closer to the current Rally2 category.
However, the exact technical regulations for the next generation of rally cars have not yet been finalised. The governing body has estimated that the rules will be locked in by the end of August.
That would leave less than 18 months before the start of the 2027 season – not a generous timeframe for developing a brand-new car.
Despite this, the FIA has set an ambitious target of seeing as many as 20 top-class crews on the WRC stages in 2027. At present, only nine Rally1 drivers are contesting the full season.
While the new regulations may present new opportunities for the WRC, there are also more pressing concerns. One of the most significant is the rumour that Hyundai’s factory team could pull out of the championship as early as the end of this year.
At the moment, the top tier features only two full-fledged manufacturers – Toyota and Hyundai – alongside M-Sport Ford. Richard Millener, team principal of the British outfit M-Sport, offered a stark assessment of the incoming regulations.
“As far as I know there will be one manufacturer ready for 2027 with this timeframe,” Millener said, according to Autosport.
The FIA, manufacturers and key WRC stakeholders held discussions about the regulations last week during the Rally Islas Canarias. According to Millener, the timeline presents a real risk of further diminishing competition in the top category.
“Ultimately they (the FIA) have to make their decisions of what they want to do and then we have to accept it, but I have personal concerns that we will end up with a championship with one manufacturer for a new set of regulations, until people can catch up, and I’m not sure that is good,” he said.
“If they believe they have enough tuners and manufacturers that we don’t know about, then that is fantastic news. For us to produce a car for 2027, regardless of June, July or August (date for the finalisation of the regulations), that is very tough.”
