Adrien Fourmaux explains the reason why the WRC drivers will face a challenge to drive the Rally1 cars without the hybrid units next year and expects a clearer explanation of the ragulations from FIA.
FIA made some major decisions on the latest World Motor Council which was held on 28 February. More specifically, the Federation confirmed that the Rally1 cars will continue running in 2025, but the hybrid units of 130 kW will be removed despite the fact that the contract with Compact Dynamics is still valid until the end of 2026. The removal of the hybrid units means less horsepower and less weight, but the teams have to adjust their cars to the new conditions as the radiator was moved to the rear of the car in order to cool down the hybrid units. In addition to these, the balance of the car will be changed as the current Rally1 cars have been designed to offset the weight between the front and the rear axle. However, more details will be confirmed by FIA during this season while the next World Motor Council will take place in June.
"For sure, the cars with the hybrid are really nice to drive, the push we have when we have the engine and the hybrid is really impressive, it’s 550 horsepower", Fourmaux said.
"But you also have to understand that when we remove the hybrid, the car was designed with the hybrid so the weight distribution will change.
"We moved the radiator to the back of the car and there is the big block of the hybrid and a lot of pipes, so many things will change, it is not a case of just removing the power and go.
"I think the cars will change a bit with the driveability so, in the end, it will be a challenge.
"I think we are just going to have to find a way to get the balance back as we will remove a lot of weight from the back of the car.
"I don’t know how it will be so I think we will need a bit more explanation of the regulation and how it will work.
"But it the end, it is the same for everybody, so we will have to fight with that".
Source: Motorsport.com
Photo Credits: M-Sport
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