The World Rally Championship has announced that it will drop hybrid units from Rally1 cars in 2025.
As reported by Autosport earlier, the 100kW plug-in hybrid system that was first introduced in 2022 along with the current-generation Rally1 cars has been axed due to rising costs.
The decision was ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council on Friday following an e-vote and will result in Rally1 cars being powered entirely by internal combustion engines next year.
The cost of running hybrid units has gone up since control supplier Compact Dynamics introduced new safety guidelines at Greece’s Acropolis Rally in September.
The company stipulated that all hybrid units will have to be stripped apart and sent back to its factory for full repair if they suffered three shock errors over 15G or one over 25G. Earlier, these units could be reset on site during a rally.
M-Sport, the only non-full factory team in the top class, subsequently raised concerns about the feasibility of running a Rally1 programme following the change.
The matter was discussed between all stakeholders, with a decision taken ahead of next week’s finale in Japan.
In a statement revealing the change, FIA’s Chief Technical and Safety Officer Xavier Mestelan-Pinon stated that the current units supplied by Compact Dynamics are “no longer in the best interests of the WRC”.
He 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 percent sustainable fuel remains a cornerstone of the championship’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.”
To maintain the same power-to-weight ratio as 2024, the minimum weight of Rally1 cars will be lowered from 1260kg to 1180kg and the air restrictor size has been reduced from 36mm to 35mm.
The FIA also highlighted the example of Martiṇs Sesks, who took part in Poland in a non-hybrid Ford Puma, as proof of concept of current Rally1 cars running without additional electric power.
