FIA confirm WRC to remove Hybrids from 2025

The World Rally Championship is set to lose its plug-in hybrid power units ahead of the 2025 season and beyond, as part of the changes to the technical regulations.

Feature image credit: @World / Red Bull Content Pool

Following being approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, on November 15, the WRC are set to see technical changes to its sport from 2025 and onwards.

One of the biggest changes to the regulations is the removal of the plug-in hybrid power units.

Although the FIA claims it is pausing the hybrids in 2025, it has confirmed in a statement that teams will no longer use hybrid power units from 2025.

In a statement, the FIA said:

“Changes to the WRC’s technical regulations, proposed by the WRC Commission after they received support from its members and approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council via an electronic vote that concluded today, Friday 15 November, confirm that Rally1 cars will no longer use the existing plug-in hybrid units from next year.”

The change is set to aid a two-pronged benefit to the WRC.

It will provide less pressure on expenses and will allow the team and manufacturers to reduce their spending on complex power units. At the same time, it will allow WRC2 competitors a simpler transition to the Rally1 class, like Martins Sesks in Poland.

Sesks, in the build-up to his home event in Latvia, performed impressively and set four top-three stage times in Poland, holding second place for three stages. All of this was completed in a hybrid-less variant of the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1, with ballast fitted in place of the plug-in hybrid unit.

“The rich heritage and unique appeal of this sport, which is so dear to my heart, are invaluable, and we are committed to safeguarding its future,” commented FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“This development is important not only for the championship’s stakeholders to adapt to the evolving energy landscape, but also for containing costs. By focusing on sustainable fuel and simplifying car technology, we’re ensuring the WRC remains captivating for fans and achievable for competitors.”

Rally1 cars will continue to excite fans across the globe in 2025, while providing improved accessibility and affordability for drivers and teams aiming to compete at the top level of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Learn more here 👉 https://t.co/Fn9Xo5XUKQ#FIA #WRC pic.twitter.com/bRdD3cG0eP

— FIA (@fia) November 15, 2024

In addition, the new 2025 cars will also see more changes besides the power units. They will use 100% sustainable fuel, and they will be lighter, easier to drive, and cheaper to use as they will be less complex to maintain.

Compared to 2024, the cars will drop down to 1,180kg which is a 80kg drop compared to the current generation of Rally1’s. In addition, the air restrictor size will be reduced by 1mm, from 36mm to 35mm maintaining the power-to-weight ratio from this year’s cars to the 2025 contenders. 

On the announcement of the technical changes, FIA Chief Technical and Safety Officer, Xavier Mestelan-Pinon said:

“Following extensive dialogue with key stakeholders, it became clear that continuing to use the plug-in hybrid units provided under the existing supplier agreement was no longer in the best interests of the FIA World Rally Championship. 

“We can now move forward in full confidence that the WRC becomes even better and stronger, with developments that are in line with the working perspective for the 2027 technical regulations. 

“Once again, we have highlighted the championship’s ability to adapt without diluting the sporting spectacle, while responsibly embracing the challenges of our times. 

“We are also pleased that the use of 100 per cent sustainable fuel remains a cornerstone of the championship’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.”

Read more WRC here:

• WRC title to go down to Japan after Tanak wins CER
• Ogier takes WRC Central European Rally lead after Neuville nightmare
• Neuville takes Central European Rally lead inching to WRC title
• Ogier takes opening overnight lead in WRC Central European Rally
• Hyundai doing everying it can to win WRC titles

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.