P1racenews AI automatic summary:
WRC teams pushing FIA to keep current Rally1 rules for 2025
Multiple sources have confirmed to Motorsport.com that Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport collectively wrote a letter to the FIA expressing the need for the current Rally1 technical rules to remain until the end of 2026, as originally planned. The FIA’s working group presented a vision for top-level rallying’s future in February, proposing changes to technical and sporting regulations, subject to a vote in June’s World Motor Sport Council meeting. While WRC Rally1 teams support proposed sporting changes, the plan to eliminate hybrid power and reduce Rally1 car performance faces strong opposition from drivers and teams. Concerns include a tight timeframe for design and testing of revised cars, with Hyundai notably expressing doubts about meeting next year’s requirements effectively. Team principal Cyril Abiteboul highlighted the challenges of adapting to fast-paced regulatory changes, impacting Hyundai’s prior investments in car upgrades. Toyota’s Jari-Matti Latvala acknowledged the FIA’s vision as “too aggressive,” signaling ongoing discussions to reach a compromise on upcoming technical regulations.
