Toyota driver Elfyn Evans was allowed to test a prototype according to the Rally1 regulations planned for the 2025 season – and was anything but thrilled
In the run-up to the Rally Croatia, Elfyn Evans drove a prototype that Toyota has modified in accordance with the proposals of the FIA for the technical regulations of the Rally1 class of the World Rally Championship (WRC) from the 2025 season onwards
The Welshman’s initial conclusion: anything but enthusiasm. “I can say that it wasn’t very exciting,” he says. But that was no surprise to him either. Evans describes the handling of the car as “as expected”.
The FIA is planning to reduce the performance of the Rally1 cars for the coming season by removing the hybrid drive and reducing the aerodynamics and air restrictor.
Pictures taken by fans during the test showed the GR Yaris with revised aerodynamics around the rear wing, which appears to be in line with the FIA’s proposed 2025 regulations.
When asked if the car was drivable with less power and downforce, Evans diplomatically replied: “I started and finished my run, so if that’s your definition of drivable, then I guess it was. And when asked if this is the right direction for the WRC next year, Evans simply replies: “My opinion is clear. “
Toyota testing today the GR Yaris Rally1 in preparation for 2025, that is, with the Rally2 rear wing, a Pitot tube on the roof for speed reference & hybrid unit intakes & outlets blocked, as this unit will be retired WRClive WRCliveES WRCjp CroatiaRally by komik video pic. twitter.com/BfCOymTLnn
– WRCWings (@llluis555) April 4, 2024
The manufacturers involved in the WRC, Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford, reject the rule changes proposed by the FIA in February 2024 and insist on retaining the Rally 1 regulations introduced in 2022 until the end of the homologation period at the end of 2026.
The FIA then signaled its willingness to compromise. However, the abolition of hybrid drives does not appear to be part of the negotiating package, if the words of Andrew Wheatley, FIA Director of Road Racing, are to be believed.
“At the start of the five-year Rally1 process, it was clear that the contract with Compact Dynamics for the supply of the hybrid powertrain would run for three years,” said Wheatley. The contract therefore expires at the end of 2024.
“The only discussion we are having about changes to the Rally1 is the rear wing modification. We want to remove one level of the rear wing but keep the upper level,” says Wheatley, explaining the negotiations with the manufacturers.
The changes to the Rally1 regulations will be finally confirmed at the next meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council on June 11, 2024.
