According to Thierry Neuville, the World Rally Championship (WRC) was doing well before the coronavirus pandemic, but has been going downhill since.
The Belgian speaks of a “critical point” at which those responsible for the WRC have to react in order to get the series going again. WRC sports director Peter Thul is now asking the drivers to make suggestions for improvement.
Currently, Toyota, Hyundai and Ford are represented in the premier class of the WRC via M-Sport, but the World Championship would like more manufacturers in the premier class. The Rally1 regulations with hybrid engines have already been introduced for this purpose, but this has not yet been enough to persuade a brand to enter. Neuville also wants to improve the show for the fans.
“First of all, I have to say that I really like Thierry’s attitude because not only is he incredibly fast, but he also gives us a lot of input and always asks the right questions,” said Thul. “We want to listen and that’s why I’m with you [FIA-Rallyeleiter] Andrew Wheatley and asked him if we don’t want to actively seek contact with the drivers who want to contribute.
WRC wants to become more attractive
The meeting with these drivers is scheduled to take place in Sardinia in June 2023, when Italy hosts the World Rally Championship. “Every opinion is welcome and I think it’s very important that we talk to each other and not about each other. I believe in that and I’ll take his word for it. I like him as a person and what he’s doing in the sport. He makes the sport more valuable .
In addition to the show at the events, the media coverage of the season and possible improvements to the format, the search for another manufacturer plays a crucial role for the WRC. The type of drive plays an important role here, which is why the organizers and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) have already discussed fully electric solutions, hydrogen and e-fuels.
“Everyone asks us when the next manufacturer is coming,” says Thul. “We work closely with the FIA and started visiting each manufacturer last year when travel restrictions were lifted. We’ve been to Europe and also Asia at Rally Japan. Our picture shows that everyone is fully geared towards full electric cars are focused.
WRC: Expect improvements in the future
According to Thul, however, it is not possible to rely on purely electric cars in the current WRC format. The use of such vehicles would massively change the DNA of the WRC, which is why doing away with combustion engines is currently not an option. “With today’s technology, rallying as we know and love it would change drastically,” warns Thul.
The WRC and the FIA want to tackle the problems and take the next step. The feedback from the drivers should also be taken into account. “We have a lot of work to do in terms of marketing, PR and social media. We know that,” said Thul. “We’re working on it and the changes will be visible soon. We can’t change everything overnight, but we’re working on it.”
The Rally Portugal, which Kalle Rovanperä won, saw a bizarre situation that fits Neuville’s criticism. After a special stage, WRC2 driver Oliver Solberg spun donuts at a spot that the fans believed to be safe and was penalized for it. He lost the win, Gus Greensmith inherited first place. Criticism for the penalty rained down in the paddock.