FIA ratifies key 2027 WRC sporting regulations

The FIA has officially approved a series of significant sporting regulations for the 2027 World Rally Championship (WRC) ahead of a major technical overhaul. At the recent World Motor Sport Council meeting, the FIA detailed the key changes that will impact the top WRC category known as WRC27, which will feature all-new vehicles alongside updated Rally2 kit cars. The top class will retain the Rally1 moniker but will utilize two sets of regulations, ultimately delivering comparable performance levels.

The WRC Cars, built to the original WRC27 technical regulations, will be fielded by established teams like Toyota, while Rally2 manufacturers developing the FIA's €7,500 update kit will be categorized as WRC Kit Cars. M-Sport is the only team to commit to the kit, having tested the revised Ford Fiesta Rally2 in Spain last week. The new regulation mandates a 33mm turbo restrictor, providing an additional 15 horsepower compared to the current Rally2 machinery.

In response to the influx of tuner teams, the Manufacturers title has been rebranded as a Constructors’ Championship, open to any Rally1 manufacturer throughout the 15-round season. Additionally, a new WRC Teams’ title has been introduced, accessible to all Rally1 competitors but contested across seven nominated events, including an obligatory overseas round and the season finale. The WRC2, WRC3, and WRC Master Cup titles will persist for the 2027 campaign.

The FIA has also outlined new homologation and technical regulations for the entry-level Rally6 cars, forming the foundation of the rally pyramid. Priced between €35,000 and €47,000, these two-wheel-drive vehicles will be based on production four-seaters, utilizing either a 1.6-litre turbocharged or 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine.

The regulations aim to minimize costs by employing production-derived components, including brakes, tyres, H-pattern gearboxes, and non-adjustable competition shock absorbers, while maintaining safety standards equivalent to Rally5-Kit cars.