The team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, believes that Rally2 plus cars are a good idea for the sport, but asks from FIA to clarify the next regulations in order to his team developing a kit for 2025.
FIA decided to remove the hybrid units from the Rally1 cars in 2025, but the Federation has not made clear the technical regulations yet which means that the teams cannot develop further their cars ahead of the upcoming year. However, Toyota brought the new GR Yaris Rally2 at Rallye Monte Carlo two months ago and this was its first time involving in WRC2 class as the intention is to provide a competitive Rally2 car to the customers and to stop the dominance of Skoda and Ford in this category. Although the Japanese team does not have a factory team at the support WRC category, many young drivers rushed to secure a drive with this new car including Sami Pajari and Georg Linnamae, who finished second and third overall respectively at Rally Sweden last February. Last but not least, FIA's decision to drop the Rally1 cars in 2025 opens the door to other manufacturers to join World Rally Championship, such as Skoda and Citroen, two car brands that are already running in WRC2.
"I think generally speaking that is a good idea", Latvala said.
"The only thing I would avoid is allowing the paddle shift, because if you want to compete in the same class with the Rally1, then the cars need to be equal.
"So if the Rally1 car is a sequential shift, then the Rally2 Plus car needs to be a sequential shift as well.
"Rally2 cars with the kit competing in the Rally1 class will raise up some numbers, which is good.
"It could maybe open up some interest for the manufacturers.
"To be honest we haven’t considered that developing a kit yet.
"We need to get a more solid base for the regulations until we can consider that".
Source: Motorsport.com
Photo Credits: Red Bull Content Pool
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