P1racenews AI automatic summary:
WRC to abandon hybrid-powered Rally1 cars from 2025
The world motorsport governing body unveiled its key objectives for the future of the WRC at today’s World Motor Sport Council, following an in-depth analysis of the current state of the WRC by the FIA’s working group created in December. As a response to declining top-level entries, a series of proposals were confirmed, such as ditching hybrid power and implementing new Rally1 regulations starting in 2026. There were deliberations on the future of the Rally1 hybrid class, with discussion of potentially transitioning to Rally2 or a new ‘Rally2 Plus’ format. The FIA announced adjustments to the Rally1 cars, which will now exclude a control hybrid unit and see reductions in aerodynamic features to curb costs. Regulatory changes for 2025 onwards will be disclosed in June, aiming to uphold Rally1 cars as the premier class with modifications to enhance affordability and maintain competitiveness. This strategic plan includes a unified safety cell to streamline development and permit manufacturers to design cars based on production models, ensuring parity in performance across the grid.
