Matton: One more manufacturer could sign up to WRC's new rules
One more manufacturer could sign up to the World Rally Championship’s new hybrid era during the initial three-year rules cycle, according to FIA rally director Yves Matton.
From 2022 onwards, the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine used by the current generation of World Rally Car will be carried over and paired to an electric motor supplied by Compact Dynamics.
The hybrid element was outsourced to the German company, after it won an invitation to tender in March of last year, in an attempt to cap costs and ensure parity across the WRC’s service park.
The new rules were intended to be more attractive to prospective manufacturers but Matton admits a new marque won't join for the 2022 campaign, citing the COVID-19 health pandemic and the associated economic upheaval as a principal reason.
“The Rally1 regulations were written with a view to making the new regulations as accessible as possible," Matton told Autosport.
"This is one of the key pillars of development: sustainability, safety, accessibility.
“There is no doubt that the pandemic has forced many people to adjust their plans – but we are confident that the regulations are designed to enable more manufacturers around the globe to consider this as a great way to develop a brand.
"There could be one more manufacturer before the end of the next homologation cycle, but it won’t be in 2022."
Two of the WRC’s teams have publicly committed to staying in the series until the end of 2024, at which point the latest set of regulations come before the WRC’s stakeholders and FIA for review.
Ott Tänak (EST), Hyundai World Rally Team, Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 2021 Arctic Rally
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
After returning to the top flight of rallying back in 2017, Toyota Gazoo Racing has given its full support to the upcoming hybrid era, while M-Sport is set to continue its long association with Ford in the series.
Both are hard at work developing their new Rally1 cars, which adopt elements of the transmission and suspension found on Rally2 machines.
Hyundai Motorsport has yet to make its intentions clear, although team principal Andrea Adamo said recently that he is “optimistic” about the manufacturer committing to the new rules – comments that have been welcomed by Matton.
“Hyundai is a key part of the World Rally Championship now – they’ve established themselves as strong competitors and they are a valuable part of the World Rally Championship story,” Matton pointed out.
“I am also confident that we will be able to secure all three manufacturers for 2022.
“Introducing the hybrid car was key to getting the manufacturers’ commitment for 2022. We will communicate more about this in the near future."
Solberg focused on WRC2 title despite impressive WRC debut
UK "definitely has its place" on future WRC schedules - Matton
Ogier wants to stay in Toyota fold after full-time WRC career ends
Ogier wants to stay in Toyota fold after full-time WRC career ends Ogier wants to stay in Toyota fold after full-time WRC career ends
Tanak has "feeling of anticipation" for remainder of WRC season
Tanak has "feeling of anticipation" for remainder of WRC season Tanak has "feeling of anticipation" for remainder of WRC season
Why the success of AVB's WRC debut won't be defined on the stages
Why the success of AVB's WRC debut won't be defined on the stages Why the success of AVB's WRC debut won't be defined on the stages
Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return
Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return
WRC Chile: Evans leads as Lappi, Loubet suffer high-speed rolls
WRC Chile: Evans leads as Lappi, Loubet suffer high-speed rolls WRC Chile: Evans leads as Lappi, Loubet suffer high-speed rolls
Aston Martin: 2026 gearbox “a golden opportunity” for F1 to cut costs
Aston Martin: 2026 gearbox “a golden opportunity” for F1 to cut costs Aston Martin: 2026 gearbox “a golden opportunity” for F1 to cut costs
Bagnaia can take “deep breath” after solving Ducati MotoGP braking issues
Bagnaia can take “deep breath” after solving Ducati MotoGP braking issues Bagnaia can take “deep breath” after solving Ducati MotoGP braking issues
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.