Starting in 2022, the FIA World Rally Championship embarks on a new era. The series, now in its 50th year, turns to hybrid power for top-flight cars. WRC Rally1, as it will be called, starts this coming weekend (January 20-23) at the Monte Carlo Rally.

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New powertrains

WRC Rally1 is the name given to the new formula that is applied to the leading cars of the series. All vehicles in the Rally1 category will be based on a new steel spaceframe. The cars are powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 1,6-litre engine and supplemented by an electric motor-generator unit producing an extra 100 kW. Peak power is rated as over 370 kW. 

WRC Rally1 cars will be powered by sustainable fuel while the 3,9 kWh battery pack will charge through regenerative braking and while plugged into an external power source in the service area between stages.

As has long been the case, drive is transmitted to all four wheels. The new rule set new mandates a return to a mechanical gearshift and the removal of the active center differential, which places more strain and a higher workload on the driver.  

Battling for glory

Three teams will be fighting for honours in the new formula: Hyundai, M-Sport and Toyota. The Korean team will be using the recently launched i20, M-Sport will campaign the Ford Puma and Toyota will race its well-known Yaris. Eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, as well as drivers Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta will drive four of the cars.

Read our Toyota GR Yaris launch report at this link.

Hyundai’s drivers’ lineup will include five-time runner up Thierry Neuville, and 2019 Champion Ott Tanak who will compete in all 13 races of the season. Oliver Solberg (son of Petter) will be sharing a third car with WRC veteran Dani Sordo. Ford’s driving strength consists of Craig Breen, Adrien Fourmaux, Gus Greensmith, and Sebastian Loeb. The latter is fresh from his recent exploits at the Dakar Rally where he finished second overall.

Battling for glory