This abomination extreme-h still exists?! Man the Saudies really have infinite money glitch.
Wait minute! Extreme-H? Wasn't this Extreme-E a few years ago?
-
Welcome to Motorsport Forums, the ultimate hub for motorsport fans since 2000! Click here to register. It is completely free, takes just a few seconds, and you can sign in instantly with your Google account.
2026 WRC News & Rumours
- Thread starter PLuto
- Start date
Wait minute! Extreme-H? Wasn't this Extreme-E a few years ago?
saco0o
Senior member
it was really weird. the genious behind the series decided that NO, HYDROGEN IS THE FUTURE NOW, so they simply stopped the 2024 season in the middle of it (!!!) to start developing the new hydrogen suv with a dallara partner called spark.
then the 2025 season never happened because the teams couldnt find $$ to participate in such chaos of a series that shuts down after 2 rounds and decide to "naaaah, we need other car now". then fia pushed for a "lets do one last race with the electric suvs, then we do a world cup with the hydrogen suvs". they held these 2 races in.... you guessed... saudi... and now i heard one of the teams talking about how the 2026 world cup is happening... in saudi.
weird...
deephouse
Senior member
Few newest articles for you to read.
Paddon and his future:
dirtfish.com
Fourmaux and his future:
dirtfish.com
Saudi decision (again) delayed:
rallyjournal.com
As Autosport have most articles behind paywall I will paste it here, so everyone can see it.
Tom Howard
Published: 8 Sept 2026, 15:05
Romet Jurgenson, Siim Oja, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Fiesta Mk II
Photo by: M-Sport
Talent finding initiatives such as FIA Rally Star could be set for a revival as part of the FIA’s plan to inject funding back into the World Rally Championship and grassroots rallying.
Last year, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem promised that funds generated by the sale of the WRC’s commercial rights will be directly invested back into rallying.
That plan is set to come into force now French automotive company Cosmobilis and private credit investor Park Square Capital have acquired WRC Promoter GmbH, and with it, secured a new commercial rights contract with the FIA. The arrival of a new promoter has been labelled by the FIA as the “deal of the century” for the WRC.
“There is no other deal with the FIA which is as good as this. The rest of the deals that [came] before me were raw deals. I would say it very frankly, what did we get from Formula 1? Do you know how much [for] the FIA? Zero and no power,’ said Ben Sulayem earlier this month.
“This doesn’t work anymore. So we improved it. We improved the Formula E [agreement]. But rallying is so important. It’s not about the money. It’s about working together with the promoter as one body, injecting [funding] back into the sport, making it much better with all of the challenges, listening to the teams, listening to the driver, listening to the fans, and listening to the media.”
As well as directly funding areas of the WRC, the FIA has now established the new FIA Growth Fund that will support projects aimed to encourage young drivers to embark on careers in rallying.
Speaking to Autosport, Ben Sulayem expanded on how the FIA Growth Fund can benefit rallying.
“FIA has always been injecting grants, and grants before were limited because we didn't have enough funds to put back," he said. "When we say what the fund would look, it won't be just going and giving people the money. It's about encouraging young drivers to enter rallying and encouraging them.
"But the fund, rest assured, will be injected. There are two sides to it also, there is [funding] into the championship itself. The championship needs an injection.
"Is it about the money? No. It's about having the right promoter. The promoter that will understand us. The promoter will go hand in hand with us. And this is what I think, you already notice the harmony with them. It's obvious with the body language.
"So, going back to the fund, it is there. The fund will be described, and you will get notified of it because we are in the process now of where the fund would go.”
One initiative that could be set for a return is the FIA Rally Star Programme. The world motorsport governing body put aside significant funding for a four-year programme that began in 2021, which was designed to find a future WRC champion.
The programme was open to drivers aged 17-26 with more than 7,000 applicants applying for six spots on the programme. The initiative ultimately offered prized drives in Junior WRC and WRC2.
Two of the FIA Rally Star drivers have made rapid progress within the WRC, with Romet Jurgenson winning the 2024 Junior WRC title before going on to compete in WRC2 with M-Sport-Ford. Another graduate, Taylor Gill, finished runner-up in the Junior WRC last year and has since enjoyed success in WRC2 this season.
When asked if FIA Rally Star could return in the future, Ben Sulayem added: "Oh yes [it can return], but in a new version because we need new stars. It was good, but it needs a bit of tweaking. It needs a bit of a different version, an improved version of it.”
Tom Howard
Published: 7 Sept 2026, 12:53
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Autosport Business
Covering industry news and insight into the business of motorsport
Rallying’s top tier is under new ownership with French automotive company Cosmobilis and private credit investor Park Square Capital acquiring WRC Promoter GmbH, in a move that has been described as the “biggest deal in the history of these championships” by the FIA.
At Rally Paraguay, the WRC Promoter’s new CEO Eric Boullier offered an insight into the championship’s future, revealing plans to take the WRC and ERC to the next level by improving fan access, media coverage and the championship’s commercial appeal.
Boullier teased plans regarding the format of events moving forward, but when speaking to Autosport he confirmed that there are no plans to drastically shorten rallies in the near future.
The former McLaren Formula 1 boss has, however, highlighted that a one stage Super Sunday, featuring two passes, which was run in Estonia and Finland, is a concept that it wishes to pursue in the future as a way to endear the WRC to a new audience. There is also a plan for free access to events for fans where possible.
Currently, the majority of WRC events predominately run across four days while Rally Estonia trialled a 48-hour concept this year.
“I am a motorsport fan, but not used to rally. One of the concepts of rallying is we have many stages every day. If you do that, it's impossible to broadcast properly or get the emotions out of the racing,” Boullier told Autosport.
“Finland and Estonia are doing one stage on Sunday [repeated], which is much easier to manage. If I want to use buses to bring the non-hardcore fans to see the cars, it's much easier as well. So then, suddenly, you can interact with your fans in a different manner."
When specifically asked if there were plans to shorten rallies, he added: “No [rallies won’t be shorter]. But we have to consider the calendar. We have to consider the costs. We have to consider sustainability.
"As we all know, we have worked on this, and this year we did it [48-hour format] with Estonia on a three-day rally. It worked very well and actually, the teams were happy because they saved time and money. I'm not sure we can apply this to every rally because every rally is unique. This is the uniqueness of WRC.
“We go to Kenya, we go to Sweden on snow. We have gravel, we have tarmac, we have high speed in Finland and we have slow speed in Japan. We want to keep this uniqueness. But some rallies will be four days, some rallies three days.”
It is hoped that WRC will finalise its 2027 calendar within the next two months. The schedule is likely to feature three new events, with Scotland, USA and Rome completing candidate events this year.
Paddon and his future:
Paddon and Hyundai deliver hints on his future – DirtFish
WRC – Hayden Paddon has delivered podiums in 50% of his starts in 2026, but his WRC future is unclear
dirtfish.com
Fourmaux and his future:
Who Fourmaux is talking to about a WRC 2027 drive – DirtFish
WRC – Adrien Fourmaux is more than good enough for a top class WRC drive, but will he secure one?
dirtfish.com
Saudi decision (again) delayed:
WRC finale still unresolved as major decision is delayed - RallyJournal.com
Where and when will the final round of the 2026 WRC season take place?
rallyjournal.com
As Autosport have most articles behind paywall I will paste it here, so everyone can see it.
How the FIA plans to support and invest in grassroots rallying
The World Rally Championship and grassroots rallying are set for an injection of funding from the FIA
Tom Howard
Published: 8 Sept 2026, 15:05
Romet Jurgenson, Siim Oja, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Fiesta Mk II
Photo by: M-Sport
Talent finding initiatives such as FIA Rally Star could be set for a revival as part of the FIA’s plan to inject funding back into the World Rally Championship and grassroots rallying.
Last year, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem promised that funds generated by the sale of the WRC’s commercial rights will be directly invested back into rallying.
That plan is set to come into force now French automotive company Cosmobilis and private credit investor Park Square Capital have acquired WRC Promoter GmbH, and with it, secured a new commercial rights contract with the FIA. The arrival of a new promoter has been labelled by the FIA as the “deal of the century” for the WRC.
“There is no other deal with the FIA which is as good as this. The rest of the deals that [came] before me were raw deals. I would say it very frankly, what did we get from Formula 1? Do you know how much [for] the FIA? Zero and no power,’ said Ben Sulayem earlier this month.
“This doesn’t work anymore. So we improved it. We improved the Formula E [agreement]. But rallying is so important. It’s not about the money. It’s about working together with the promoter as one body, injecting [funding] back into the sport, making it much better with all of the challenges, listening to the teams, listening to the driver, listening to the fans, and listening to the media.”
As well as directly funding areas of the WRC, the FIA has now established the new FIA Growth Fund that will support projects aimed to encourage young drivers to embark on careers in rallying.
Speaking to Autosport, Ben Sulayem expanded on how the FIA Growth Fund can benefit rallying.
“FIA has always been injecting grants, and grants before were limited because we didn't have enough funds to put back," he said. "When we say what the fund would look, it won't be just going and giving people the money. It's about encouraging young drivers to enter rallying and encouraging them.
"But the fund, rest assured, will be injected. There are two sides to it also, there is [funding] into the championship itself. The championship needs an injection.
"Is it about the money? No. It's about having the right promoter. The promoter that will understand us. The promoter will go hand in hand with us. And this is what I think, you already notice the harmony with them. It's obvious with the body language.
"So, going back to the fund, it is there. The fund will be described, and you will get notified of it because we are in the process now of where the fund would go.”
One initiative that could be set for a return is the FIA Rally Star Programme. The world motorsport governing body put aside significant funding for a four-year programme that began in 2021, which was designed to find a future WRC champion.
The programme was open to drivers aged 17-26 with more than 7,000 applicants applying for six spots on the programme. The initiative ultimately offered prized drives in Junior WRC and WRC2.
Two of the FIA Rally Star drivers have made rapid progress within the WRC, with Romet Jurgenson winning the 2024 Junior WRC title before going on to compete in WRC2 with M-Sport-Ford. Another graduate, Taylor Gill, finished runner-up in the Junior WRC last year and has since enjoyed success in WRC2 this season.
When asked if FIA Rally Star could return in the future, Ben Sulayem added: "Oh yes [it can return], but in a new version because we need new stars. It was good, but it needs a bit of tweaking. It needs a bit of a different version, an improved version of it.”
What WRC’s new promoter wants from its events
The World Rally Championship’s new commercial rights holder has outlined its vision for the length of events moving forward
Tom Howard
Published: 7 Sept 2026, 12:53
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Autosport Business
Covering industry news and insight into the business of motorsport
Rallying’s top tier is under new ownership with French automotive company Cosmobilis and private credit investor Park Square Capital acquiring WRC Promoter GmbH, in a move that has been described as the “biggest deal in the history of these championships” by the FIA.
At Rally Paraguay, the WRC Promoter’s new CEO Eric Boullier offered an insight into the championship’s future, revealing plans to take the WRC and ERC to the next level by improving fan access, media coverage and the championship’s commercial appeal.
Boullier teased plans regarding the format of events moving forward, but when speaking to Autosport he confirmed that there are no plans to drastically shorten rallies in the near future.
The former McLaren Formula 1 boss has, however, highlighted that a one stage Super Sunday, featuring two passes, which was run in Estonia and Finland, is a concept that it wishes to pursue in the future as a way to endear the WRC to a new audience. There is also a plan for free access to events for fans where possible.
Currently, the majority of WRC events predominately run across four days while Rally Estonia trialled a 48-hour concept this year.
“I am a motorsport fan, but not used to rally. One of the concepts of rallying is we have many stages every day. If you do that, it's impossible to broadcast properly or get the emotions out of the racing,” Boullier told Autosport.
“Finland and Estonia are doing one stage on Sunday [repeated], which is much easier to manage. If I want to use buses to bring the non-hardcore fans to see the cars, it's much easier as well. So then, suddenly, you can interact with your fans in a different manner."
When specifically asked if there were plans to shorten rallies, he added: “No [rallies won’t be shorter]. But we have to consider the calendar. We have to consider the costs. We have to consider sustainability.
"As we all know, we have worked on this, and this year we did it [48-hour format] with Estonia on a three-day rally. It worked very well and actually, the teams were happy because they saved time and money. I'm not sure we can apply this to every rally because every rally is unique. This is the uniqueness of WRC.
“We go to Kenya, we go to Sweden on snow. We have gravel, we have tarmac, we have high speed in Finland and we have slow speed in Japan. We want to keep this uniqueness. But some rallies will be four days, some rallies three days.”
It is hoped that WRC will finalise its 2027 calendar within the next two months. The schedule is likely to feature three new events, with Scotland, USA and Rome completing candidate events this year.
GigiGalliNo1
Senior member
Eli
Senior member
But it won’t run from the 11th-14th, it will start a day later right?
Fast-Eddie
Senior member
What surface will it be on ? Many FB rumours state gravel.
NaBUru38
Active member
Catalonia isn't confirmed yet, and I see no strong rumors in the Spanish press so far.
100% tarmac I'm afraidGravel
Fast-Eddie
Senior member
Eli
Senior member
They’re not real honestly, what a f**king joke, to us the fans it’s not conivinent and annoying but for the competitors and teams alike? So much disrespect, I honestly hope Saudi Arabia loses their slot for the Dakar, and it’s freakin’ 10 year contract, f**kin’ hell, what a way to treat your audience…
deephouse
Senior member
If Saudi will go on and M-Sport go there and obviously won, then we will have undeniable proof that Malcolm Wilson is the one calling all the shots behind WRC.
I have a gut feeling that the situation is more and more towards M-Sport winning event, Saudi's making it happen no matter what and of course Sulayem being arabic and wanting to be finale there.
Possible scenario:
-Decision delaying as much as possible
-Toyota and Hyundai absent from event
-Toyota would not bother as they will take every possible title in main category already in Chile/Sardegna
-Hyundai will not care as they might pull out anyway
-Entry list published as late as possible
-Logistics to blame to not cancel it
-M-Sport field 4 cars
-Lancia 2 cars, Toksport 2 cars, Jurgenson and other privateers
-All M-Sport in top 10, with 1-2-3 finish
-Saudi showing the world that it's "safe there"
-Hankook having only small amount of delaminations, as cars would just cruise there and being as the best "WRC ever had"
I have a gut feeling that the situation is more and more towards M-Sport winning event, Saudi's making it happen no matter what and of course Sulayem being arabic and wanting to be finale there.
Possible scenario:
-Decision delaying as much as possible
-Toyota and Hyundai absent from event
-Toyota would not bother as they will take every possible title in main category already in Chile/Sardegna
-Hyundai will not care as they might pull out anyway
-Entry list published as late as possible
-Logistics to blame to not cancel it
-M-Sport field 4 cars
-Lancia 2 cars, Toksport 2 cars, Jurgenson and other privateers
-All M-Sport in top 10, with 1-2-3 finish
-Saudi showing the world that it's "safe there"
-Hankook having only small amount of delaminations, as cars would just cruise there and being as the best "WRC ever had"
Add:
-M-Sport win 2026 Manufacturer's title after Toyota and Hyundai disqualified
It may be extreme, but they will have to pay the penalty for a no show IF the event runs.
I get the frustration but they should announce only once they have all the information and coherent plan. On the one hand people moan at no news, on the other people moan because they keep flip-flopping. It's Saudi until it isn't Saudi. No need to cry.
-M-Sport win 2026 Manufacturer's title after Toyota and Hyundai disqualified
It may be extreme, but they will have to pay the penalty for a no show IF the event runs.
I get the frustration but they should announce only once they have all the information and coherent plan. On the one hand people moan at no news, on the other people moan because they keep flip-flopping. It's Saudi until it isn't Saudi. No need to cry.
Bold of you to assume that they will finish the rally
My money is on some WRC2 driver outright winning the event and then celebrating it together with the camels
As others eluded to, if it's not using the same roads and dates, why does it have to have the Rally Catalunya name?
Because that is a tarmac round of Spanish Superchampionship, why cancel it?
Eli
Senior member
And also, would it run between Wednesday until Saturday?
Eli
Senior member
I know, jesus, everything here (WRC) is so stupid and then they wonder why no one (manufacturer) wants to enter? even us hard core fans are having a hard time!