WRC to pause hybrid system on Rally1 cars for 2025 season

11/15/2024 12:49 PM

The promoters of FIA WRC have decided to stick to Rally1 cars for 2025 and will pause the hybrid system which has resulted in huge expenditure.

Rally1 cars will continue to excite fans across the globe in 2025, while providing improved accessibility and affordability for drivers and teams aiming to compete at the top level of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Utilising 100 per cent sustainable fuel, Rally1 cars will be lighter, easier to drive, less complex to maintain, cheaper to use, but just as spectacular to watch when the 2025 season fires up on Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.

Changes to the WRC's technical regulations, proposed by the WRC Commission after they received support from its members and approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council via an electronic vote that concluded today, Friday 15 November, confirm that Rally1 cars will no longer use the existing plug-in hybrid units from next year.

At the same time, pausing the use of hybrid technology allows teams and manufacturers to reduce their overall expenditure. Drivers stepping up to the WRC's top tier will also benefit from simplified transition from Rally2 level.

Indeed, on the WRC-counting ORLEN 80th Rally Poland in June, Mārtiṇš Sesks demonstrated the potential of the concept as he set four top-three stage times and held second place for three stages during his Rally1 debut driving a Ford Puma with ballast fitted in lieu of using a plug-in hybrid unit.

From 2025, the minimum weight of Rally1 cars will be lowered from 1260 kilograms to 1180 kilograms and the air restrictor size reduced from 36mm to 35mm to maintain an equivalent power-to-weight ratio between the 2024 and 2025 vehicles.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The rich heritage and unique appeal of this sport, which is so dear to my heart, are invaluable, and we are committed to safeguarding its future. This development is important not only for the championship’s stakeholders to adapt to the evolving energy landscape, but also for containing costs. By focusing on sustainable fuel and simplifying car technology, we're ensuring the WRC remains captivating for fans and achievable for competitors."

FIA Chief Technical and Safety Officer Xavier Mestelan-Pinon said: "Following extensive dialogue with key stakeholders, it became clear that continuing to use the plug-in hybrid units provided under the existing supplier agreement was no longer in the best interests of the FIA World Rally Championship. We can now move forward in full confidence that the WRC becomes even better and stronger, with developments that are in line with the working perspective for the 2027 technical regulations. Once again, we have highlighted the championship's ability to adapt without diluting the sporting spectacle, while responsibly embracing the challenges of our times. We are also pleased that the use of 100 per cent sustainable fuel remains a cornerstone of the championship's commitment to reducing its environmental impact."

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[Note: The story is as per press release]

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