Updated WRC 2027 regulations presented to WRC Commission

An updated version of the World Rally Championship 2027 technical regulations is being finalised to be presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council next month.

A number of refinements to the WRC27 regulations were discussed by the WRC Commission when it met on Thursday. According to an update issued by the FIA, the biggest update pertained to bodywork while further details regarding “how areas of cars outlined within the regulations are defined, and the reorganisation of the articles relating to the engine control system and electronics” were presented. 

The FIA announced the framework for the WRC’s 2027 regulations last December with the championship’s future pinned on cars built to a cost cap of €345,000, that is hoped will attract more manufacturers and teams. The vehicles are expected to deliver similar performance to the current Rally1 cars, but based around spaceframe chassis using Rally2 internal combustion engines and componentry. The construction of chassis will be open to tuners as well as OEMs, while the cars will be able to accommodate various body types.    

Since the announcement teams have been urging the FIA for more details regarding the regulations given the tight timeframe to be ready for 2027. Last month the FIA announced that the final details of the WRC27 regulations would not be confirmed until the end of August. The regulations have already caused some friction among the current manufacturers with Hyundai asking for changes to the rules to allow more road car relevant technology to be showcased.

“Following recent meetings between the FIA and technical representatives of each manufacturer, further drafted details to the technical regulations for 2027 were presented to the commission, specifically regarding how areas of cars outlined within the regulations are defined and the reorganisation of the articles relating to the engine control system and electronics,” read a statement from the FIA.

“The biggest update was the inclusion of a new chapter relating to bodywork, including requirements for sustainable materials, homologation criteria and the definition and shape of inner volumes, with freedom surrounding this volume to allow manufacturers and constructors to create their designs with unprecedented levels of flexibility. This is a core feature of WRC27 and one that is designed to encourage both manufacturers and constructors to compete in the series.”

The proposed refinements to the regulations are currently being finalised and will be presented to the WRC Commission before being submitted for approval at the World Motor Sport Council in Macau next month. 

Chassis study and crash test simulations are already ongoing, with real-world crash tests expected in July and August.

“We have had a strong start to the 2025 WRC season across a fantastic range of different events, and the work has been equally strong between these events in our working groups to make progress across key areas of our regulations and safety matters,” said WRC Commission president Pernilla Solberg. 

Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1

Photo by: M-Sport

“The refinements we are working through on the WRC27 technical regulations will allow us to make more detailed communication in the coming months about the exciting new era that was defined at the end of last year.”

The FIA’s technical department offered an update on the tender process to select the WRC’s sustainable fuel supplier from 2026-2028. P1 Performance Fuels had held the previous contract before the company went into administration in February, which resulted in TotalEnergies stepping in to take over as fuel supplier beginning at last month’s Rally Islas Canarias.

According to the FIA, tender submissions are currently being analysed by the WRC Commission before final proposals are submitted for approval at the next World Motor Sport Council meeting.

The WRC Commission also announced plans to implement changes next year to improve rally schedules and reduce the pressure on employees working in the championship. 

Following a comprehensive review of the working hours and pressures for employees working in the World Rally Championship, the WRC Promoter has generated a report that is currently being reviewed by the key stakeholders.

The FIA, WRC Promoter and competitors plan to join forces to map out a set of guidelines “for event organisers to better advise and inform on improving practices when creating itineraries and the schedule of the rally week”, in a bid to “reduce the pressure on employees working within the championship”, according to a statement from the FIA.