WRC abandons tech revolution plans
ByAutoSport
Updated 11/12/2014 at 14:52 GMT
There will not be any 'revolutionary' change to the World Rally Car technical regulations in the FIA's next generation plan, according to its rally director Jarmo Mahonen.
WRC, generic (Getty)
Image credit: Getty Images
The governing body had discussed wide-ranging change for the WRC in its 2017 technical rules rewrite, but those plans have been shelved and the new cars will be more evolutionary in nature.
Mahonen scotched rumours of hybrid technology for 2017, and denied that this would be a prerequisite to Toyota committing to a WRC return.
"I can't see hybrid cars happening," he told AUTOSPORT.
"It's not true that Toyota needs a hybrid car.
"Different manufacturers have different aims, but we are on the same page now.
"It's too early to have hybrids in rallying.
"We have discussed introducing different sizes of engines by controlling the fuel flow and this kind of thing, but it's so expensive and unreliable at this stage - it's too early for this as well.
"We will see conventional cars, an evolution of what we have now."
He admitted that his preference had been for further-reaching change.
"I would like a revolution. I always start these meetings by saying I would like to see a silhouette car with 600bhp and then it goes quiet..." said Mahonen. "It won't be a revolution."
WRC Commission president Carlos Barbosa had talked of the need to see 2017 technical regulations inked before the end of this season, but Mahonen said that would not be possible.
"It's no secret that we are a little bit late finalising," he said, "but we shall decide on the principles this month and have something in place for the World Motor Sport Council in March."
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