2024 WRC News & Rumours

[er88]

You really think Toyota are going to pay Evans off (as he's under contract), because of some bad rallies, or if he doesn't win the title? C'mon.
He's still one of the better drivers in the championship. Toyota will have Kalle, Evans and Katsuta doing the full season, with Ogier and Pajari rotating in a 4th car

[WRCStan]

Maybe I'm just a bit naive, but this could mean that Ogier or Evans won't drive Toyota next year, when they are trying to test Pajari's skills.

I think be prepared for a heck of a lot of change for next season, but not necessarily anything you've said.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

As discussed in the TGR Thread, some think that Toyota are close to a 'crisis point' with their full-time driver's this season. Evans and Katsuta just aren't cutting it.

Plus rally leading Ogier cant assist Evans when Evans is in 4th or 5th place. (That's assuming he'd slow down anyway !)

And Kalle hasn't been consistent enough and possibly isnt fully-focusses as a part-timer.

Losing both Titles to Hyundai is now looking more likely than for years.

[Eli]

As discussed in the TGR Thread, some think that Toyota are close to a 'crisis point' with their full-time driver's this season. Evans and Katsuta just aren't cutting it.

Plus rally leading Ogier cant assist Evans when Evans is in 4th or 5th place. (That's assuming he'd slow down anyway !)

And Kalle hasn't been consistent enough and possibly isnt fully-focusses as a part-timer.

Losing both Titles to Hyundai is now looking more likely than for years.

But don't forget Kalle will do full seasons starting from next year. However, it's clever on their side to check their options for the future (past 2027), however with all due respect to Katsuta, he's not on the same level as Evans and I doubt anyone here thinks he'd be even remotely close to mounting a title challenge like Evans has back in 2020-2021, sure he didn't succeed but I would still pick him over Katsuta at any day of the week. No offense to any Katsuta fans out there but that's the way I see it. Also if I were Hyundai I would check more names than the one they already did, if they do end up staying until the end of this decade, they will at some point need to replace both Ott & Thierry.

[Tauri_J]

Finnish media after Tänak's test (use google translate)

https://www.rallit.fi/ott-tanak-tyki...eto-toyotalle/

Toyota guys are nervous

[bandit12]

Heh. Just mind games.

[EstWRC]

Finnish media after Tänak's test (use google translate)

https://www.rallit.fi/ott-tanak-tyki...eto-toyotalle/

Toyota guys are nervous

English version of the site https://rallyjournal.com

[Eli]

As predicted: https://www.fia.com/news/stability-w...enda-samarkand

“Technical stability agreed for FIA World Rally Championship

Technical stability has been agreed between all stakeholders for the 2025 and 2026 FIA World Rally Championship seasons. The World Council has confirmed that, following extensive feedback and discussions, the WRC Technical Regulations for Rally1/2 cars will remain unchanged for the coming two years.

All stakeholders are working positively together on the direction of the regulations for 2027 and beyond, and there is a good consensus between the World Council members and the manufacturers on the key targets that are aimed primarily at increasing participation at the highest level as previously set out by the FIA. It is a strong expectation of the World Council that the current manufacturers will commit to the long-term future of the sport well in advance. These regulations will be presented for approval at the December meeting of the World Council, allowing more than two year’s lead time for manufacturers to adapt.

Following a clear pledge to invest from the WRC Promoter, the FIA will strengthen its team across the Commercial and Communications Departments to extend their support for the Promoter and the key stakeholders around the Promotional Working Group.

There will be a strong focus on managing the sporting regulations following the creation of the WRC Sporting Working Group, with a key emphasis on increasing the opportunities for media activation and reducing the costs for its competitors. The final versions of these Sporting Regulations are to be proposed in the October session of the WMSC.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem commented on these conclusions, saying: “The WRC is hugely important to the FIA, it is the pinnacle of the rally discipline and I have had a lot of conversations with the manufacturers over the past weeks about its future direction. It is clear now that we all need to have technical stability for the next two years, but at the same time it is important for the FIA that, in providing this stability, we receive the same positive commitment from the manufacturers.”

Speaking in reaction to this confirmation by the World Council, other WRC stakeholders have also added their thoughts.

WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel said: “As the WRC Promoter this is a hugely important moment for us, as we can move forward with unity and consistency over the next two years from a technical perspective while we are investing heavily in new and exciting ways to grow the fanbase of the sport and deliver for our fans.”

Jari-Matti Latvala, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team Principal said: “We have a very solid commitment to the World Rally Championship, and we are really supportive of a continued collaborative approach to ensure the strongest competition for all of us.”

Hyundai Motorsport President and Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “We have worked very closely together with the FIA over the past months and while we all believe that stability of the technical regulations for 2025 and 2026 is the right thing, the very substantial steps made on the governance will provide for a more unified and positive approach towards the short term improvements and long term breakthroughs that we all agree the sport needs.”

Malcolm Wilson, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team added: “This is a really positive step for us in the coming years. We have seen some good proposals on the promotion side, on the marketing side and the plans for event operations and now the work to make those things happen needs to start, and with a consistent proposition on the technical side, I think the scope is there to achieve our ambitious targets for the WRC.”

Anna Nordkvist, General Manager of Rally Sweden, said: “From the side of the organisers, there are a lot of positive initiatives starting now that are going to bring a big benefit to the sport and the fans. All of the rallies are different, but with more flexibility and more focus on the fan experience, everyone will benefit. The work being done on the Sporting Regulations is really important for us.”

Thierry Neuville, Driver for Hyundai Motorsport, said: “It is good to hear today that we have the stability the teams have requested and from the meetings we had in Sardinia, it looks like there are some interesting proposals on the table for the future development of the sport. In addition to this, the FIA’s increased promotional efforts promise to elevate our sport’s profile and deliver greater value to all stakeholders. As a driver, I am excited to see the changes that will not only maintain but enhance our connection with fans worldwide, ensuring that the sport continues to grow and thrive.”

Additionally, the World Council approved that, for promotion purposes, two designated team personnel for each registered manufacturer will now be allowed to be present within one kilometre of their competing cars on road sections for filming and social media content creation. Additional positions in the car were also accommodated for the fitting of onboard camera lens.

To provide continuity and stability in the Junior WRC Championship, the extension of the exclusive car supply contract (M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 EVO) for the 2025 season was approved.”

And of course no word about the 2027 regulations, or next years’ events formats or even the calendar, guess that’s too much for them to handle…..’sigh’.

[TypeR]

Ogier confirmed for rally Latvia also, so it will be 5 events im a row. Going for the title..?

E: Kalle also starting

[Backa]

Ogier confirmed for rally Latvia also, so it will be 5 events im a row. Going for the title..?

It could be quite interesting shenanigan - Ogier deciding to fight for title and starting in all rounds but not announcing that.