WRC future

**AndyRAC** · 10th January 2020, 10:08

Hybrids in top level motorsport are hardly new; WEC & F1 have had them for approx 7-8 years - the WRC still can't decide on them. There comes a point when the costs/ benefits is evaluated and they have to say yes or no. Just how many manufacturers can afford a hybrid WRC car?
In my view, not enough for a sustainable series.

**Sulland** · 10th January 2020, 10:44

Good inteview with Mr Matton on ASI.

FIA are working strategically, and things take time. But they are in my opinion moving in the right direction

Cost of WRC is to high, so there are too few cars competing. FIA would like to see the old mix of Works teams, Privat teams and some gentlemen drivers. Good to see! They see that cost have spiralled, and next gen hybrid cars will not be more but rather less expensive than today.
They have the new rally pyramid in place, from Rally 1 to rally 5.
- He have great expectations for the new Rally 3, and manufacturers are working on details with FIA and will make cars for 2021
- Matton have said before that Rally 2 Kit needs more work to get cost btw rally 2 and rally 2 Kit cars larger.
- FIA are worried about recruitment into the sport from new young drivers, and are putting in place more programs to make it easier and sponsors in place.
- New WRC 2 and WRC 3 classes will clarify better for the fans ans sponsors manu supported teams and privat teams using R5/Rally 2 cars.

To me it seems FIA have seen where work needs to be done, and most important issues are making progress.

**rallyfiend** · 10th January 2020, 11:09

Originally Posted by Sulland

Good inteview with Mr Matton on ASI.

FIA are working strategically, and things take time. But they are in my opinion moving in the right direction

Cost of WRC is to high, so there are too few cars competing. FIA would like to see the old mix of Works teams, Privat teams and some gentlemen drivers. Good to see! They see that cost have spiralled, and next gen hybrid cars will not be more but rather less expensive than today.
They have the new rally pyramid in place, from Rally 1 to rally 5.
- He have great expectations for the new Rally 3, and manufacturers are working on details with FIA and will make cars for 2021
- Matton have said before that Rally 2 Kit needs more work to get cost btw rally 2 and rally 2 Kit cars larger.
- FIA are worried about recruitment into the sport from new young drivers, and are putting in place more programs to make it easier and sponsors in place.
- New WRC 2 and WRC 3 classes will clarify better for the fans ans sponsors manu supported teams and privat teams using R5/Rally 2 cars.

To me it seems FIA have seen where work needs to be done, and most important issues are making progress.

I don't beleive for a second that the new Hybrid cars can be cheaper than the current generation cars.

I believe Malcolm Wilson more than I do Yves Matton.

**GigiGalliNo1** · 10th January 2020, 14:58

With these liveries... what future does the WRC really have? M-Sport is ok... TGR... pass. Hyundai? It'll be the same!

**EstWRC** · 10th January 2020, 15:48

it really is indeed the biggest problem we have.

RS · 10th January 2020, 17:07

Originally Posted by deephouse

He basically says there will not be any new manufacturer in 2022, because whichever they are discussing with don't have facilities or organization yet. He mentions that Hyundai could do it in two years and it's not impossible. But I have a feeling that they are just dreaming of having more of it without any real interest show even if hybrid really happens.

So no Skoda then..

**deephouse** · 10th January 2020, 18:08

I don't know. All I've been reading is just from Subaru and that just only an rumours. Skoda even end their works team program and only support some drivers with R5 machines.

From early interviews Matton was pretty sure that some manufacturers will be there then,. Now he claims that with new regs 50% more manufacturers could enter chapionship. That's not interest from them, it's just wishes.

I think at the start of 2019 or it was 2018 there were post from FIA that the new manufacturer will be at the start of Monte. But we never saw anything new. VW start only few outings and never really competed in any championship since their withdrawal in 2016.

MEM (Mellors Motorsport) are loud every year how they will enter in WRC2 but they develop that Iriz for some long now that the car will actually be too old for new ones, which are believed will come soon (upgraded i20, possible Yaris, rumoured 208,...)

I don't know. I wish there was more of them even in main category, but the problem is there is not enough 1st class drivers. And if Ogier really retires the number will be reduced to two (I don't count Latvala and Meeke anymore because their careers are practicaly over). How could manufacturer really show that they are competitive for wins or titles when there are no one who could bring them that. Maybe new WRC talent ladder will help bring real talents to the top, we will see.

**GigiGalliNo1** · 11th January 2020, 03:50

Originally Posted by EstWRC

it really is indeed the biggest problem we have.

**Duvel** · 11th January 2020, 05:42

I don't know. I wish there was more of them even in main category, but the problem is there is not enough 1st class drivers. And if Ogier really retires the number will be reduced to two (I don't count Latvala and Meeke anymore because their careers are practicaly over). How could manufacturer really show that they are competitive for wins or titles when there are no one who could bring them that. Maybe new WRC talent ladder will help bring real talents to the top, we will see.[/QUOTE]

My hopes are on Kalle and Oliver.. Maybe only in 2 or 3 years, but I think we wil see real race winning speed from them soon. That's when they step into the wrc class I mean.

**Duvel** · 11th January 2020, 05:46

Fia should create a reg whit current wrc cars whit standard hybrid kit. If hybrid would AL be the same, and delivered by one external producer, that would help keeping costs down.