In the World Rally Championship, the hybrid era has started better than the worst threats imagined. Still, now we need decisions on the next steps with the cars.
In the World Rally Championship, the first season with hybrid cars is over without one race. The championships have gone in the direction of Central Finland, when Kalle Rovanperä won the driver’s championship and the Toyota he drove the brand championship.
Toyota team manager Jari-Matti Latvala According to the season, we have heard comments from drivers too often that the hybrid does not start working or that it is switched off.
– It should be the case that the hybrid works continuously. It should be bomb proof. There are no equal opportunities to compete if it doesn’t work consistently for everyone, Latvala emphasizes.
For example, from the beginning of the season in the Swedish World Rally Championship, both Hyundai and Toyota had problems with the hybrid unit. Ott Tänak even had to stop because of the hybrid problem.
At first, it was feared that the hybrid would cause dangerous situations, for example in exiting situations. These safety issues have not materialized. Latvala is happy about that, as is Urheilu’s expert Henri Haapamäki.
– The season has gone quite painlessly. There were quite a lot of fears, but the hybrid has adapted very well to rally driving, says Haapamäki.
The current Rally1 cars are classified for the next three years. Major reforms will therefore not come until the 2025 season at the earliest.
According to Latvala, the current hybrid concept could last a few years even after 2025. In his opinion, the next step in development could be hydrogen cars, but they are still barely ready for competition in 2025.
– Hydrogen cars have a similar internal combustion engine. They have sound. There is no pollution whatsoever. Just water vapor comes out of the exhaust pipe, says Latvala.
Rally rumors have circulated that future car solutions for the World Series would be hammered out this year. According to Latvala, discussions are taking place, but he is not sure if decisions will be made yet.
However, Latvala needs quick solutions so that the future of the sport is vibrant.
– The fact is that we should know pretty soon. If the uncertainty continues, no more car manufacturers will enter the World Series. If decisions are not made at the end of this year, they must be made at the beginning of next year, Latvala states.
Haapamäki also emphasizes that the rules of the World Series should be locked for a longer period at a time.
– The car factories would dare to come along and they would have time to rub the diamond until it shines. No one jumps on the bandwagon. For example, if you think of a Toyota car brand that would like to challenge Toyota. It’s bad to join that from the flight anymore, Haapamäki emphasizes.
There is one competition left in the World Series. The World Rally Championship in Japan will be shown on channels from 10 to 13. November.
Read more: