CAMPEONATO MUNDO DE RALIS - ACORDO ENTRE CONSTRUTORES

Quinta, 01 Abril 2021 15:05 | Actualizado em Sábado, 13 Abril 2024 09:53

WRC manufacturers confirm three-year hybrid agreement

·       Hyundai, M-Sport Ford and Toyota sign up to WRC’s hybrid era

·       Manufacturers sign three-year WRC commitment from 2022 to 2024

·       WRC Promoter welcomes across the board manufacturer support

·       Hybrid to begin in WRC’s 50th anniversary season

 All three current WRC manufacturers have embraced the sport’s exciting new hybrid era by committing to register and participate in the FIA World Rally Championship from 2022 to 2024.

Hyundai, M-Sport Ford and Toyota have pledged their futures to the production car-based series, which will undergo a landmark change in 2022 when top tier cars will be powered by a mix of an electric motor and the current combustion engine.

The agreement includes an equal contribution from the FIA and the manufacturers to the development costs of the new technology, which will have a strong focus on sustainability, safety and cost management.

The introduction of hybrid technology was announced in 2019 and close collaboration between the manufacturers, WRC Promoter and FIA led to technical regulations receiving a green light at this month’s World Motor Sport Council. 

WRC Promoter managing director Jona Siebel hailed the trio’s commitment as another positive step for the championship’s future.  

“It’s no exaggeration to say the introduction of sustainable hybrid technology for the WRC’s headline category marks one of the biggest milestones in the sport’s history. It’s fitting such a major progression will be welcomed in the championship’s 50th anniversary season,” he said.

“Along with the FIA and the manufacturers, WRC Promoter is fully committed to the introduction of greener cars. The hybrid powertrain forms an integral part of the automotive industry as the world moves towards a more sustainable future, and it’s essential the WRC is aligned with this evolution.

“This is rallying with a purpose – providing a perfect R&D platform for the automotive industry to communicate its new technology.

“WRC remains motorsport’s toughest championship for production-based cars and the leadership from these teams sends a positive message about its future to other manufacturers considering joining the series,” Siebel added.

To ensure increased stability and better long-term planning opportunities, the FIA is introducing a three-year championship commitment for manufacturers in place of single-year agreements.

From 2022, a new system will be introduced to the series, with the three current manufacturers and the FIA each owning one of four licences.

The hybrid announcement follows confirmation of the WRC’s plans for more sustainable fuel for competing cars and greener energy sources in the service park.  

Requests for tenders have been invited for:

• Sustainable fuel, with the supplier providing a fuel or series of fuels to be used by competitors across the different championship classes.

• Branding of the plug-in hybrid charging stations in service parks.

• Sustainable energy generation and supply in the service park to cover the needs of the plug-in charging elements of the World Rally Cars and general service park power requirements.

About WRC Promoter GmbH

WRC Promoter GmbH is responsible for all commercial aspects of the FIA World Rally Championship, including TV production and the marketing of global media and sponsorship rights. The Promoter also has responsibility to increase the field of participants and to propose the venues that form the FIA WRC calendar.

The World Rally Championship is the FIA’s premium rally series. WRC showcases authentic motorsport, high performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing in dramatic surroundings ranging from the ice and snow of Scandinavia to the blistering heat of Italy in mid-summer. Established in its current format in 1973, WRC participants battle for the drivers’ and manufacturers’ world titles at 12 rallies spanning three continents. Additional championship information can be found at www.wrc.com.

Next rally: Croatia Rally, 22 - 25 April 2021.