FIA: At least 10 tuners have expressed their interest in joining WRC from 2027

FIA reveals that at least ten tuners are interested in joining World Rally Championship from 2027 onwards as the sport will enter into a new era.

The forthcoming technical regulations, set to run for a decade, aim to significantly reduce costs and increase flexibility in order to attract not only manufacturers but also independent tuners to the championship. Cars will be subject to a €345,000 cost cap, produce around 300 horsepower, feature a spaceframe chassis and incorporate selected Rally2 components. Initially, the rules will permit only internal combustion engines, although provisions are in place to introduce alternative powertrain technologies at a later stage.

Last month, the FIA confirmed Project Rally One as the first tuner to officially commit to the WRC under the new regulations from 2027. The outfit, founded by veteran motorsport engineer Lionel Hansen alongside former FIA rally director and ex-Citroën WRC team principal Yves Matton, in partnership with Prospeed, is expected to challenge Toyota, currently the only manufacturer publicly known to be developing a car for the 2027 WRC ruleset.

Although existing Rally1 teams Hyundai and M-Sport Ford have yet to formally confirm their participation beyond the current regulations, the FIA reports that the new technical framework has generated unprecedented interest with just 12 months remaining before its introduction.

"The FIA’s priority is to accompany all the tuners and manufacturers that have already started to work on these projects," said the FIA's Xavier Mestelan Pinon.

"The tuner side is completely new for FIA rally to have a tuner homologate a car and it is a massive success. 

"We have a lot of contacts, more than 10. 

"I don’t say that all 10 will finalise the project but they are working out how to do that so there is a lot of work for us to accompany them, also our manufacturer and also regarding the regulations there are still some technical details to finalise. 

"It is work in progress now to prepare for the 2027 season."

Source: Motorsport.com

Photo Credits: Toyota