P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA’s 2025 WRC rules timeline too tight for Hyundai to do a “good job”
Hyundai boss Cyril Abiteboul has expressed frustration over the recent proposals to enhance the WRC, leading the team to abandon planned 2025 developments for the i20N Rally1 car due to proposed technical changes for next year. The proposed modifications for next season will invalidate the original homologation of the current Rally1 car from 2022-2026, with the removal of hybrid power and adjustments to aerodynamics and air restrictor aiming to align performance with Rally2 cars. A new upgrade kit costing around €5,000 will be offered to Rally2 competitors to challenge Rally1 cars in events, potentially boosting the top-level entry list. The wide-ranging proposals, including new Rally1 regulations for 2025 and 2027, await a vote by the World Motor Sport Council in June, raising concerns about the tight schedule for teams to comply by next year. Abiteboul emphasizes the urgent need for finalized regulations to foster certainty and enable efficient planning and preparation for the upcoming seasons, pushing for quicker ratification by the FIA to allow sufficient time for car design, testing, and validation. Hyundai is grappling with significant changes necessitated by the proposed modifications, underscoring the importance of promptly established rules to ensure effective adaptation. Abiteboul pledges to engage in further discussions with the FIA to address challenges and align strategies for the future of Rally1 in 2025 and 2026.
