[WRC] 2025 News & Rumours

[Kras]

Adrien quickly becoming boring. I hope he stays at M-sport

[wyler]

People, this series is made by the promoter and focused on M-Sport. I can't believe its airing any surprise that could generate any friction. If this is on YouTube, whatever contract formaux has signed, is already inked.

[denkimi]

Completely agree and why I've wanted to see Rally2 as top class for a while - I do get the 'it might make costs spiral' argument (which I'm not convinced on, but it's plausible), but not so much the cars being unspectacular, because the drivers make the cars spectacular.

When you watch the top guys really pushing Rally2's they are plenty spectacular, especially when they have a bit less - go watch Neuville's various runs in R5s and Rally2s in Ypres; car moves around more, has less rear grip.

That hope is gone, but for me it's the drivers that make the cars spectacular at the top 4wd level, with how far they're willing and able to push them beyond their limit.

To make cars look spectacular we just need good drivers and a lot of sound. Actual speed is almost impossible to see to humans.

[Eli]

''We have officially signed a contract with the WRC Promoter for organizing the European Rally Championship (ERC) in 2025 and the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2026 and 2027. The ERC Croatia Rally will take place in October 2025, while the WRC event will continue to be hosted in April as in previous years.'' official Croatia Rally FB account.

So basically with Croatia in the 2026 Calendar, most slots of that year are closed no? Apart from CER? Is there any round that currently doesn't have a valid contract for 2026? Meaning the streak of 7 consecutive gravel events will likely continue into 2026?

[Doon]

That hope is gone, but for me it's the drivers that make the cars spectacular at the top 4wd level, with how far they're willing and able to push them beyond their limit.

This has been my view for years. A 2003 WRC car was probably slower than a modern Rally 2 car, and in terms of sound they are mostly on par. Would anyone say the 2003 season was boring? No, because there we 6 manufacturer teams, a handful of decent privateers in decent cars giving us 20+ top level cars at each event, 6 different rally winners in 4 different manufacturer's cars, and about 8 drivers at the start of the season who were capable of winner.

The endless search for speed and power is the WRCs downfall. Quite frankly, as a fan, i couldn't care less if the hybrid unit is fitted.

[TypeR]

Hybrid OUT from 2025!

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/hybri...cars-for-2025/

[Andre Oliveira]

WRC - Rally1 spectacle maintained following technical changes



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.”

https://www.fia.com/news/wrc-rally1-...hnical-changes

[deephouse]

Finally. It was about time. Hope that teams will have enough time to prepare, and not have so much technical issues in Monte already because of that.

[Eli]

Hybrid OUT from 2025!

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/hybri...cars-for-2025/

Just a little(!) shame, they’re reducing the turbo restrictor from 36 to 35mm although I doubt it will change much in terms of sound (& Power) for next year; Would’ve liked to see them retain the amount of power they had back in 2017-2021, none the less, I’m glad they got rid of the hybrid. As a side bonus we’ll (hopefully) get to see the numbers back on the doors and the telemetry will (hopefully) be easier to read.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So the lower weight limit means the dummy hybrid ballast is no longer needed ? Didnt they say the cars needed this as the cars were designed for it and its effect on their balance?